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West Wales millionaire on the move: Dad drove for months with £1m winning ticket

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A ROUTINE trip to the car to grab a half-eaten bag of crisps turned into a life-changing moment for one west Wales family – when dad Darren Burfitt discovered a forgotten EuroMillions ticket worth £1 million.

Darren, 44, a greenkeeper at Langland Bay Golf Club, Swansea, had kept a handful of lottery tickets in the central console of his grey Citroen DS4 – a place he thought was safe but hadn’t checked in months.

“I kept meaning to scan them, but just never got around to it,” Darren said. “That Sunday morning, my son asked for some crisps and I remembered there was a bag in the car. While I was there, I grabbed the tickets and scanned them on the app.”

One ticket returned a modest £3.60 win, but a crumpled one wouldn’t scan at all.

“It was so scrunched up I had to manually check it against the results,” he said. “When I saw the date and matching Millionaire Maker code, I couldn’t believe it. I just kept checking it over and over.”

It then dawned on him: the winning ticket had been sitting in his unlocked car for four months.

“My car is basically a shed on wheels, held together with mud,” Darren laughed. “I never lock it – there’s nothing of value in there. I dread to think what could have happened!”

His wife Gemma, 34, a teaching assistant, was away overnight at the time. “When I called her, my voice was shaking. She thought something terrible had happened to the kids. When I finally blurted out that we’d won £1 million, she just wouldn’t believe me.”

The couple, who have a four-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter, are now planning to buy their first home. Darren also hopes to swap out the unreliable Citroen for a family pick-up truck.

“I’ve always dreamt of seeing the Ashes in Australia,” he added, “but first up is a truck that can get us out on even more adventures.”

Gemma added: “It still doesn’t feel real. I keep pinching myself. We’ve always loved our family caravan holidays, but this changes everything. It gives us real security for our future – and for the kids’ future.”

Darren bought the winning EuroMillions ticket at Morrisons Daily in Penllergaer on the way to a caravan break. The winning draw took place on October 18, 2024, and the ticket matched the Millionaire Maker code JDDF38095, securing the £1 million prize.

Every EuroMillions ticket played in the UK includes a Millionaire Maker code, creating a new millionaire in every draw.

Beyond the chance to win, playing the National Lottery also helps support good causes. Around £30 million is raised each week, funding arts, sports, community groups, and heritage projects across the UK. Since its launch, more than £50 billion has been raised for Good Causes nationwide.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

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MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

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Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

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Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

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Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).

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