Richard Davies, 49, and Faye Stevenson-Davies, 43, first won £1M in June 2018. The couple have now matched five main numbers and the Bonus Ball in the Lotto draw on 26 November, banking an additional £1M.
According to experts at Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, the odds of the couple winning both the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker and later five numbers plus the Bonus Ball on Lotto are estimated at more than 24 trillion to one. However, Richard and Faye attribute their success to positive thinking.
“We Always Believed Winning Was Possible”
Faye said:
“We always believed winning was possible, and once we scooped £1M and met hundreds of other lucky winners, we realised fairytales do come true and there are winners everywhere.
We knew the odds of it happening again were outrageous, but we’re proof that if you believe, anything is possible.”
Richard added that belief was the only way to make sense of how their second win unfolded.
“This win was not as simple as buying the winning ticket, it came to us through a series of four consecutive Lotto draws.”
A Chain of Lucky Dip Wins
Richard explained how the couple’s winning ticket was generated:
“When you match two numbers in the Lotto draw, you automatically win a Lucky Dip for the next game.
We matched two numbers and won a free Lucky Dip from the draw on the 15th, which put us into the next draw and so on, until the winning draw on Wednesday 26 November.”
Community Impact and Lottery Funding
While another win had always been possible, the couple said their motivation to play was also shaped by their involvement in community projects supported by National Lottery funding.
Faye said:
“We’ve seen firsthand, through our volunteering at projects that have received vital National Lottery funding, the impact players make.”
She highlighted Richard’s voluntary work, including providing haircuts at a Cardiff homeless shelter through Haircuts4Homeless and cooking at Cegin Hedyn community kitchen in Carmarthen.
“Funding makes a huge difference, right across Wales.”
Christmas Plans Remain Unchanged
Despite their newfound wealth, the couple plan to continue working throughout the festive season.
Richard will carry on working seven days a week as a courier to ensure Christmas deliveries are completed, while Faye will continue providing mental health support to clients, including on Christmas Day.
Reflecting on how the first win changed her life, Faye said:
“That first win meant I gave up work as a mental health nurse and could return to university, gaining a second degree in Counselling and Therapeutic Practice.
I now have my own practice and also provide counselling services with local organisations including Brecon & District Mind charity and The DPJ Foundation.
I feel blessed every day to be doing something so meaningful thanks to that first bit of luck, and I’m not going to abandon my clients with the second bit.”
A New Career Path
Former hairdresser Richard also described how the first win allowed him to change careers:
“After a while I was able to give up hairdressing — I’d been doing it since I left school.
I put down the scissors before agreeing to help a friend out with a couple of days’ courier work, that was two years ago and I now do seven days and love it.”
Looking ahead, Richard said the couple are in no rush to make plans:
“Everyone keeps asking what we’ll do in the future and we genuinely have no idea at present.
We may have believed, but that doesn’t mean we had a plan.
The first time around we gifted people cars, donated a minibus to the local rugby team and helped friends and family.
This time, who knows — we’ll take our time and enjoy the moment.”
National Lottery Reaction
Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at Allwyn, said:
“I can still remember the day I met Richard and Faye for the first time, and it’s just as special to be with them as they celebrate their second £1M National Lottery win.
To see the positive impact of that first win, I know that this second one will be just as meaningful.”
He added:
“Players winning more than once is unusual but, like all the best magic, not impossible.
There are even a few lucky addresses dotted around the UK that I have visited more than twice.”
With more than 7,700 millionaires already created through The National Lottery, Andy said big wins can happen anywhere:
“There are big winners in every corner of the country — maybe there is one down your street.”
£15M Christmas Eve Lotto Draw
With a £15M Must Be Won Lotto draw scheduled for Christmas Eve, Andy Carter said more winners are guaranteed:
“With a £15M Must Be Won Christmas Eve Lotto Draw, there will be more big winners.
If ever there was a time to believe in festive magic, now’s the time.
The Winners’ Advisor team are on stand-by to receive that winning call from the lucky someone.”
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