Dolly Parton inspired lottery winner's charity work

55 minutes ago

Frances Connolly said Dolly Parton was a huge inspiration

PA Media Frances Connolly, who won £115m on the lottery in 2019. She is standing inside Middlesbrough Velodrome holding a large bell. She has long grey hair held back by a white and black polka dot hairband. She is wearing a white blazer with black detailing and a golden necklace. She is holding the silver bell by its wooden handle and holding it in the air. She is looking into the distance and smiling. — Frances Connolly said Dolly Parton was a huge inspiration

A lottery winner who gave away millions to help others in her area said Dolly Parton was a huge inspiration for her charitable work.

Frances Connolly won £115m with her husband Paddy in 2019 and went on to set up a trust to support good causes in the North East, where she lives.

Her father was a fan of country and western music, with Dolly Parton a favourite. Connolly described the singer, who died last month aged 80, as an "inspiration" for her philanthropy.

She said: "I think it's in mankind to share when you get to a level where you've got enough."

Frances Connolly said Dolly Parton, who died last month aged 80, was an "inspiration" for her philanthropy

Getty Images Dolly Parton playing guitar in white sparkly blouse. — Frances Connolly said Dolly Parton, who died last month aged 80, was an "inspiration" for her philanthropy

After Parton's death, it was said she could have been a billionaire had she not given so much of her wealth away to causes such as child literacy.

Connolly said "enough" was a different measure to different people and if she had been younger when the win came she may have kept more for herself, but being in her 50s she did not feel she needed it.

"As long as the kids are sorted and they had enough to live comfortable, nice lives, I didn't see the point," she said.

The couple estimate they have given away about half of their winnings to charitable causes and have set up their own charity, PFC Trust, which supports people across the North East in a range of ways.

It funded respite caravans for young carers, loneliness projects and digital tech for older people, delivered emergency food parcels and put defibrillators into local sports clubs.

Frances and Paddy Connolly won £115m in 2019

PA Media Frances and Paddy Connolly portrayed with a spraying bottle of champagne and an oversized cheque with their Lottery winnings. Frances Connolly has shoulder-length salt and pepper hair and a fringe. She wears glasses and is holding the spraying bottle. She is dressed in a black blazer and green top. Paddy Connolly has short grey hair and wears a black jacket and blue shirt. He is holding the cheque and both are smiling at the camera. — Frances and Paddy Connolly won £115m in 2019

In honour of Connolly's 60th birthday, seven athletes who appreciated her support for young sporting talent will run, swim or cycle a total of 60 miles to raise money for PFC.

They are due to start the challenge at a family fun day at Middlesbrough Velodrome on Sunday, culminating in a team taking on the Great North Run for the trust.

Connolly said she was delighted the athletes wanted to give something back to the trust that supported them.

She said: "I am at pains to explain to people that despite being a millionaire, I can't cure poverty, and I certainly can't do everything that's needed to be done on my own."

The couple are originally from Northern Ireland and moved to Hartlepool for work in the 1990s.

Connolly worked as a social worker and teacher and her husband continues to run a plastics business.

The couple said they enjoyed good holidays, have a large house on Teesside but remained aware of value for money and bought things such as luxury watches and cars second hand.

She said: "We have a lovely life. I always tell people, we have the same life, we just live it bigger."

Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram and listen to Radio Tees on BBC Sounds.