Lottery winner uses £1m winnings to build crazy golf course and 'help community'
A selfless Lottery winner is building a crazy golf course in his back garden as part of his mission to help those less fortunate.
David Lawrence, 67, from Leatherhead in Surrey, won £1million when he matched five numbers plus the bonus ball in the Lotto draw on September 16. The retired Day Services Officer at Surrey County Council, also a keen fundraiser for decades, has plans to take his charity work to another level.
He said: “I am a true believer that it really is better to give than to receive and my fundraising and charity work is more than just a passion for me, it’s my life’s work. I am so excited by what I can do with my amazing slice of National Lottery good luck.
“It goes without saying that the family will be looked after. My wife, Jacqui, who spent 30 years working as a night nurse, and I have already had an offer accepted on a new and bigger family home. This means that my son, daughter-in-law and my two little granddaughters can visit more comfortably, but I also have big plans for how our new house is going to become a big part of my ongoing charity work….or rather the garden!”
David has said he will build a crazy golf course (National Lottery)David, who actively supports many charities, including Mencap, The Swans Club, Leatherhead Link and Children in Need with fundraising activity throughout the year, explained his plan. “It may sound a little crazy but, I am going to build a three-hole crazy golf course in our new back garden. Why? I’ve seen over the years that physically engaging activities really do help and inspire young adults with mental health and social care needs," he said.
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“Many love Crazy Golf and so do I so my ‘golf course’ will be open to anyone who needs it.” He is also involved in teaching the all inclusive Paralympic sport of Boccia, and has even invented a new variation of the game which he calls Rainbow Boccia.
He explained: “I am very passionate about teaching Boccia, which is a fantastic sport for individuals with high support needs, and my thinking was to combine the competitive element with one where the participants could learn whilst playing. For example, if they are playing onto a map of the world it provides an opportunity to learn about each country. I’ve introduced the idea into the weekly sessions I run locally and it’s proving a hit.”
In the lead up to Children in Need on November 17, David is full speed ahead with his money-raising efforts, with local Boccia-based fundraising events planned for the 13th, 16th and 17th. In amongst these, he also runs a Thursday afternoon arts and crafts session which, thanks to his National Lottery win he is looking to expand to a second day every week.
David is living proof that good things happen to good people but it could have all been very different for him and the family. David said: “Two years ago I nearly died when I developed Sepsis. It really was touch and go, even to the point where Jacqui was told to prepare for the worst.
“Maybe it wasn’t my time and maybe my Dad was looking out for me from above, but the experience reinforced for me how important it is to make the most of life and do what you can to help others. Ever since my dad passed away, we’ve kept playing my dad and Jacqui’s dad’s Lotto numbers.
“We were lucky enough to have won about £12,000 three years ago using his numbers but never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined that these same numbers would lead to a £1,000,000 win. Dad’s numbers won us a free Lotto Lucky Dip for the next draw on September 16 and it was this line that made us millionaires.
“I was in Sainsbury’s checking my ticket whilst waiting for an important phonecall. The phone rang just as the lady behind the counter said I’d need to phone The National Lottery and the terminal made a beeping sound that I’d never heard before. It was all going on all at the same time but it is a moment that I will never forget.”
David bought his winning Lotto ticket at Sainsbury’s on the High Street in Leatherhead. The winning Lotto numbers on Saturday 16 September 2023 were 7, 17, 22, 24, 31, 59 and the Bonus Ball was 50. David’s winning ticket matched five main numbers and the Bonus Ball to win £1M.
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