A couple from Lancashire who won a whopping £61 million jackpot in the EuroMillions have been publicly named for the first time.
It’s officially Richard and Debbie Nuttall’s lucky day… or we should say lucky life, more like.
The winning couple – who are both 54, from the Lancashire town of Colne, and have been happily married for 30 years – scooped a share of the mega £123 million EuroMillions jackpot in the draw on 30 January earlier this year, and took home a total of £61,708,231.
The Nuttalls were actually on holiday in Fuerteventura celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary when they found out about their life-changing lottery win.
Apparently, the pair mistakenly thought they had only won a measly £2.60, due to some confusion with reading their bank balance, only to find out it was quite the opposite – which led to them being, understandably, “totally stunned”.
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“You dream of winning the lottery, but you never think it’s going to be you,” Mr Nuttall told the media at a press conference at Mitton Hall in Whalley, near Clitheroe, yesterday.
Mr Nuttall explained that he was checking his emails while on holiday last year when he found a message from the National Lottery saying he had a £2.60 win in his account, and when he told his wife, she comically responded: “Woo hoo, we can get a bacon butty with that.”
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But it turns out, they could actually afford quite a bit more than breakfast.
After receiving the initial message, the couple then went out for the day to explore the stunning Spanish island, before returning to their hotel room only to find another National Lottery message asking them to check the account again.
“I looked and it said ‘you’ve won £61,708,231’, ring this number,” Mr Nuttall admitted, and although he couldn’t quite believe it, the win turned out to be true.
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So, what’s next for the Nuttalls then? What are they planning to do with their winnings.
The Lancashire couple who won £61m on the EuroMillions have been publicly named for first time / Credit: Pxhere
Well first, the “dazed” couple have admitted that they have no plans to continue working, with Mrs Nuttall already handing her notice in and Mr Nuttall set to do the same at the end of this tax year, and are already in the process of buying a new house and upsizing to a home that has more room and outdoor space for them and their dog to enjoy.
Mr Nuttall said their lives are going to be “so different” now.
He continued: “We have worked hard all our lives and we are now very much looking forward to taking life a bit easier. But not just that, this win will also change the lives of those closest to us, and hopefully the next generation after that too.”
The Nuttalls also revealed they’ll be making a considerable donation from their winning amount to a charity close to their’s and their family’s hearts – BK’s Heroes, which was set up in their nephew, Ben King’s, memory after he died of a rare condition called Tubular Interstitial Nephritis and Uveitis at the age of 27.
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“This charity means so much to our family and we are all involved,” Mr Nuttall concluded.
Vigil to be held in Manchester for victims of Crumpsall synagogue attack
Danny Jones
A vigil is set to be held in solidarity with the local Jewish community and those affected by the horrific attack in Greater Manchester on Thursday.
Mancunians, Brits and people all over the world are continuing to pay tribute and offer words of kindness during another dark day for the city region, as the incident that took place at a synagogue in Crumpsall has now been confirmed as an act of terrorism.
Informing residents from around the ten boroughs of the vigil plans, those nearby, as well as those in and around central Manchester, are now being welcomed to pay their respects to the deceased and those who remain injured in hospital.
Greater Manchester stands together in solidarity with our Jewish community following the horrific incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
A vigil will be held today at 3pm (Friday 3 October) at the junction of Middleton Road and Crumpsall Lane (M8 5DS).
Writing on social media yesterday, Mayor Andy Burnham simply described the ordeal as a “vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day.”
He went on to state, “We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe.”
As for the person responsible, the suspect behind the attack has now been identified as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, who was a registered British citizen of Syrian descent.
Burnham signed off by adding: “We stand with GM’s Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them.”
Regarding the details of the vigil, the statement reads: “Greater Manchester stands together in solidarity with our Jewish community following the horrific incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue”. Flowers, wreaths, as well as messages of love and support are already being in the area.
It continues: “A vigil will be held today at 3pm (Friday, 3 October) at the junction of Middleton Road and Crumpsall Lane (M8 5DS).”
While the Greater Mancunian Jewish community is still hurting as more details emerge from the ongoing investigation, the city and beyond are already uniting as they always do in the face of adversity.
Members of the Manchester Jewish Museum, Crumpsall’s neighbouring MJCC, and the wider Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and the surrounding area are all expected to be in attendance, as well as notable political figures.
As reiterated by the Mayor’s office: “This is a space for reflection, support and unity. All are welcome to join as we honour those affected and show that hate has no place in our city region.”
For anyone considering going along to pay their respects and offer their support, please look out for each other, remain vigilant and stay safe.
Featured Images — Tim Umphreys (via Unsplash)/Facebook/Mayor for Greater Manchester (via X)
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Two victims of the Crumpsall synagogue attack were accidentally shot by police, according to GMP
Danny Jones
The latest update on the terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester is that one of the victims who tragically died was accidentally shot by police at the scene, while another is still receiving treatment in hospital, as per GMP.
With the suspect now having been named as Jihad Al-Shamie, who was also shot dead after driving towards and stabbing multiple individuals at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, it’s believed that one of the deceased men was unfortunately hit by gunfire during the incident.
They are yet to identify which exact individuals were unfortunately caught in the crossfire and whether or not gunshot wounds have been cited as a cause of death in any instance.
#UPDATE | Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson has provided an update following yesterday’s tragic incident on Middleton Road in Crumpsall. pic.twitter.com/VWTpOE4KG3
As you can see, Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson writes: “The Home Office Pathologist has advised that he has provisionally determined that one of the deceased victims would appear to have suffered a wound consistent with a gunshot injury.”
“It is currently believed that the suspect, Jihad Al Shamie, was not in possession of a firearm, and the only shots fired were from GMP’s Authorised Firearms Officers as they worked to prevent the offender from entering the synagogue and causing further harm to our Jewish community.
“It follows, therefore, that subject to further forensic examination, this injury may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by my officers to bring this vicious attack to an end.
“We have also been advised by medical professionals that one of the three victims currently receiving treatment in hospital, has also suffered a gunshot wound, which is mercifully not life-threatening.
“It is believed that both victims were close together behind the synagogue door, as worshippers acted bravely to prevent the attacker from gaining entry.”
Footage shared online of police apprehending Al-Shamie (a Syrian-born man granted British citizenship) also features audio of a bystander claiming he saw a bomb, with authorities later revealing that ‘suspicious items’ were found in the vicinity and a disposal unit being dispatched shortly after.
Meanwhile, the other person who was hit by police gunfire is one of three who remain in a serious condition following the attack, though their identities have yet to be disclosed to the public.
Elsewhere, it appears as though the 35-year-old attacker’s father, Faraj Al-Shamie, has seemingly come out to comment on the incident.
A post on a Facebook page seemingly belonging to Faraj Al-Shamie reads: ” The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a profound shock to us.
“The Al-Shamie family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians.
“We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort.
“We kindly request that all media outlets respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time and refrain from using this tragic event in any context that does not reflect the truth. May God have mercy on the innocent victims, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured.”
Emily Sergeant -
22nd February 2024 
