Lottery winner hails Dolly Parton as an ‘inspiration’ after giving away half of her £115m fortune

Lottery winner Frances Connolly has credited country music icon Dolly Parton as an inspiration for her generosity, revealing she and her husband Paddy have given away nearly half of their £115 million jackpot. The couple, who won the prize in 2019, established a charity trust known as the PFC Trust to support local causes in North East England. To celebrate Frances' 60th birthday, seven athletes have joined a 60 for 60 charity challenge, undertaking a series of physical activities to raise funds for the trust. Frances, a former social worker and teacher, has long supported charitable causes, beginning in Northern Ireland before her life-changing lottery win. Her father was a fan of country music, with Dolly Parton being one of his favorites. Frances described the late singer, who passed away at the age of 80, as an "inspiration" for her philanthropy. Observers noted that Parton could have become a billionaire had she not donated so much of her wealth to various causes, including child literacy programs. Frances and Paddy estimate they have given away approximately half of their winnings over the years. Frances, who is a grandmother with three daughters, explained that sharing wealth is part of human nature once individuals reach a certain level of comfort. She emphasized that while the concept of "enough" varies for everyone, she felt it was appropriate to give generously given her age and circumstances. She stated, "I don’t know anybody who doesn’t share something. I think it’s in mankind to share when you get to a level where you’ve got enough." Despite their generosity, the couple maintains a modest lifestyle, enjoying holidays and living in a large home in Teesside. They purchase second-hand items like a pre-owned Cartier watch or a used Aston Martin, demonstrating their commitment to living within their means. Frances remarked, "We have the same life; we just live it bigger." She highlighted that while she cannot solve poverty alone, she encourages others to contribute to meaningful causes. The 60 for 60 charity challenge includes a range of activities, starting with a family fun day at Middlesbrough Velodrome and culminating in a team completing the Great North Run for the trust. Frances expressed her delight at the athletes’ participation, calling it a "better present" than anything else. She stressed that the success of the trust relies on the support of many volunteers and contributors, including those who bake cakes, sell raffle tickets, and assist during events. The PFC Trust has funded various initiatives, including respite caravans for young carers, projects to combat loneliness among older adults, emergency food supplies, and the provision of defibrillators to sports clubs. Paul Hewitson, one of the athletes participating in the challenge, praised Frances’ example, noting the importance of healthy lifestyles for young people. Donations can be made via the JustGiving campaign titled "60 for 60 Challenge".