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.

CERI CRICHTON, a Pembrokeshire-based business consultant specialising in supporting charities and social enterprises, has been nominated for the UK Startup Awards in the Business, Consulting & Management StartUp of the Year category.

In just two years, her consultancy business, The Round House, has helped organisations secure nearly £1 million in funding, supporting vital initiatives that drive social change.
Ceri founded The Round House to ensure small charities and social enterprises receive the kind of practical, hands-on business support that larger organisations often take for granted.

Her work focuses on building financial confidence, strengthening governance, and helping organisations plan for long-term sustainability.

Her expertise spans fundraising, business planning, project management, and governance, enabling charities and social enterprises to grow, innovate, and deliver impactful work in their communities.

Among the organisations she has supported are Get The Boys a Lift, SNAP Specialist Play, Pembrokeshire Action for the Homeless, VC Gallery and Pembroke Town Walls Trust, along with many others that benefit from her tailored approach.

Speaking about her nomination, Ceri said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for this award. At The Round House, its all about collaboration and fresh thinking to help charities and social enterprises do what they do best. There are a lot of pressures facing the third sector right now, and I feel proud to support the hard work of my wonderful clients across South Wales. It’s amazing to see the difference focus and funding can make, and I feel privileged to be part of that work.”

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the UK StartUp Awards, said: “New businesses are the driving force behind any thriving economy, generating employment, pioneering innovation, and contributing to prosperity across the UK. This year’s finalists embody the very best of entrepreneurial spirit – spotting opportunities and, through dedication, skill, and resilience, turning them into thriving ventures that are making a tangible difference. More importantly, all the winners will go on to represent their region at the 2025 UK National StartUp Awards final later this year”.

The UK StartUp Awards was launched to recognise the booming start-up scene across the UK. The Awards celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs driving change in their industries.
The cohort of finalists will be considered for the regional prizes by a panel of seasoned judges with experience founding or supporting entrepreneurial ventures. The winners from each region will then be invited to the first UK final taking place at Ideas Fest, the Glastonbury for Business festival in Hertfordshire on 12th September 2025.

Ceri’s nomination reflects her outstanding contributions to the non-profit sector, from securing critical funding to guiding organisations toward long-term sustainability.
The awards take place on Thursday, June 19th in Cardiff.

DYFED-POWYS Police is appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision on the A477 between Broadmoor and Redberth, Pembrokeshire.

The crash happened at around 2:40pm on Wednesday (Mar 26) and involved two vehicles – a red Hyundai and a white Ford Transit Connect.

Tragically, the driver of the Hyundai, an elderly woman, died from her injuries. Her family is receiving support from specially trained officers.

The road was closed for several hours to allow for a full investigation and was reopened by 9:00pm the same evening.

Officers are asking anyone who was travelling along the A477 between Broadmoor and Redberth around the time of the collision to get in touch, particularly motorists who may have dash cam footage.

Police can be contacted online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
Please quote reference: 25*250073.