Weirs continue to share 'good fortune' of £161m EuroMillions win a year on

Thursday 12 July 2012

EUROMILLIONS winners Colin and Chris Weir said they still had an "overwhelming sense of good fortune" a year after scooping the biggest-ever prize of its kind.

LUCKY BREAK: Colin and Chris Weir are supporting a variety of local good causes with their £161 million EuroMillions windfall.

Custom byline text:

The couple, from Largs, collected £161 million after buying the ticket at a branch of McColl's in their home town.

They have since gone on to fund a number of causes, including a £1m donation to the Yes Scotland independence campaign, and boosted several small local organisations.

On the eve of the first anniversay of their win, Mr Weir, 64, said: "It has been quite a year, exciting and challenging in equal measure, but we couldn't be happier."There is still an overwhelming sense of good fortune – we were incredibly lucky and will never forget that. But, a year on, the biggest change in our life is that we can now support causes close to our hearts in a more meaningful way. It is a privilege to be in a position to see a situation where help is needed and be able to do something about it."What we've done in the last 12 months is to achieve a balance between enjoying our new life to the full with recognising the difference we can now make to others' lives."The couple are local heroes in Largs, where they pledged to stay, given their generosity and down-to-earth manner.Those to have benefited from their mighty windfall include the Largs Thistle Community Club, which now has new pitches at the club's Barrfields' ground thanks to the Weirs. Funds have also been given to secure the future of The Waverley paddle steamer with around £120,000 handed to Haylie House care home for the elderly to improve facilities for staff and residents.Supporting the rise of Scotland's future sporting stars has also become a priority, with 15-year-old racing driver Gregor Ramsay receiving funding for his first season of European racing, and tennis player Ross Tiree Wilson, once trained by Judy Murray, will be heading to a training academy in Spain.Mrs Weir, 55, a retired psychiatric nurse, said the couple aimed to fill the gap left by cuts to charities and other grant-making organisations with their Lotto money.She said: "We are currently in the process of setting up our Charitable Trust, which will support individuals, groups and charities across Scotland who are struggling to gain funds from the more traditional or mainstream grant makers."The couple, who have both struggled with ill health, are in the process of renovating their £850,000 Knock House mansion in Largs, which has gardens overlooking the Firth Of Clyde.

Contextual targeting label:

Finance

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Weirs continue to share 'good fortune' of £161m EuroMillions win a year on

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED