If you won the euromillions (or had a similar amount of money) how would you spend some of the money to try and make a difference?

[Aspanielstolemysanity]

Partly inspired by driving through some fairly deprived areas and realising what a sheltered /privileged life my children live, and how much difference that makes to their life chances and childhood

And partly just that I like to day dream about having the power and resources to really make a difference in the climate change battle...

So I was just idly day dreaming and wondered what others would do?

I feel like it would be quite daunting to have that much money and know that if you used some of it wisely you could make a difference

I wouldn't - I'd spend it all on myself. If there's any left over when I die, my preferred charities (animal charities) can have it all as I've no one to leave it to.

I would cure Hunter’s disease.

I want to provide funds towards IVF for couples at Care Sheffield. I have no idea how I would do this logistically but do it I would. The rest will be distributed to family and friends.

I dream of this.

I would set up an animal sanctuary, and I would have a scheme where we employ a huge number of people with disabilities. My dd is autistic and has some other health complications and will struggle to work so I would love to employ people in her situation.

I would also get up a youth centre for ND teens.

I would have some affordable housing for women who can't get a space in a refuge.

I would run a pay what you can afford childcare scheme for those in low paid work over the holidays.

I would also have a food van so kids can get nutritious meals through the holidays.

I would also love to have a pay what you can afford cafe on the go so no-one is struggling for a meal.

I would also love to find some way to make music/gigs totally accessible too, a completely accessible music festival would be the dream.

I need to win the euro millions though, a lotto win just wouldn't cut it 🤣

How do the really big, 50 mil plus winners, keep it quiet? Is it possible?

Some big winners come forwards and have publicity I think they are really brave to do this.
It doesn’t always go well either , I’ve read about a few couples who have split up. I suppose the old saying ‘ money doesn’t bring you happiness’ is possibly correct sometimes.

I've put a lot of thought into this.

I would anonomously give money to a select few people, and I would say I was given money too. We will all think it's someone we know but it wouldn't look unusual to spend it on a house or whatever.

Then when I set up my charity to do all the things I want to do, I would simply 'get a job' there.

I think any one person/family who keeps that amount of money is disgustingly obscene.

Firstly, family, they would get enough to do something but not enough to do nothing. 😂Wouldn't give a penny to big charities. Start my own charities, that especially meet local needs.
Hate the thought of anyone being hungry, especially kids. Help homeless. Build a day centre for elderly, disabled. Start a scheme to get people with learning disabilities into work.
My dp says he's gonna take it as I would have nothing left because I'd give it all away 😂.

I would build education centres for neurodiverse children, for the many like mine that are too high need for mainstream but don’t meet the criteria for a specialist provision. Small class sizes, no uniform policy, plenty of sensory areas and quiet zones.

I would give generously to charities supporting young people, particularly children in care or care leavers. Sure start type centres for youngsters, mental health services for teens, youth clubs and play schemes providing hot meals for all that need them with the opportunity to take educational programs to help them to gain employment or just practical life skills.

I would build women’s centres for women and girls fleeing violence. There would be housing available where they could stay until they were able to secure permanent housing. They would have in house nurseries with qualified staff so the women could continue to work if they chose to. There would be therapy and group classes available, and advisors to help with everything from legal advice to benefit advice.

I would also donate to our local hospice, and various animal welfare charities.

I’m going to need a big win.

If I won mega money ((over 10mil) I'd tell friends we had a smaller win (1-2mil) as some things would be obvious (like younger DD could go to a school that was right for her (DD1 wouldnt want to move) we would probably move house etc)

I’m a disabled wheelchair user, once I’d got myself sorted, I would look into starting bespoke social housing/adapted housing for adults with disabilities who want to live independently. I’ve been lucky but there’s a national shortage in this area. Possibly a Care Agency as well as I’ve had some bad experiences over the years and I’d like to rectify that and have one that again is completely bespoke

I’d also like to give money to environmental and climate change causes. Ones that have been proven to work

my worry is certain relatives for whom no amount of money would be good enough

Less worthy but I would have a house with a pool. All time dream. I doubt I could manage to keep it quiet even though I would want to because the dramatic change in my life would be obvious

I'd focus on local projects mostly for young people. Breakfast clubs,homework clubs, holiday clubs to try to help kids who go hungry. I'd work with local primary schools to ensure they have the resources to give kids a good education. I'd fund further education for kids who would otherwise not fulfil their potential.

This is sensible but possibly easier said than done if the 250 mil in Ireland or whatever crazy win that was.

I'm getting more ideas now. This one is mostly because I want it for me, but it would be widely enjoyed. I want to set up a crafts teaching centre, quilting, crochet, knitting, clothes making, embroidery etc, maybe even gardening. It will have day classes for people who live locally but mostly it will be residential courses, mostly short casual courses but possibly longer ones that lead to a qualification of some sort. There will be permanent teachers but also visiting teachers from all over the world. The environment will be peaceful and inspiring. There will be beautiful gardens to wander in and to paint landscapes in, and kitchen gardens to provide fresh food. It might be on the edge of my previously mentioned large native woodland so people can go for walks. The rooms will be house style, so each house having a sitting room, kitchen and 4 to 8 bedrooms with ensuite. Residents can chat with like minded people in the sitting room in the evenings or escape to their own room. I went to Ballymaloe cookery school a couple of times and really loved the way they had set up the accommodation. The houses will be set around cobbled courtyards in a sort of mini village.

Part of the centre will be open to the public, for instance there will be an extremely well-stocked craft and fabric shop as well as a shop where people can sell their hand-made goods on commission. The cafe that feeds the students will have a section for the public for lunch and snacks. There will be small units available at low rates for people with a business idea.

I’d like to do so many things. Help smaller animal rescues, build affordable housing especially for single mothers, help vulnerable youth, help unpaid carers especially children. I’d probably end up with nothing!

Lots of animal rescues.

I would give a lot to local smaller charities where it would make a real difference, some to friends and family which could change lives of people I love, also buy as much green space as possible

An activity centre for adults with a severe learning disability with outdoor spaces, sensory and music facilities etc.

I used to work for a charity who were absolutely horrible to me.

So in the spirit of pettiness, I would make a significant donation to the competitor charity in the same sector down the road.

A few million would establish them some proper reserves and protect them from having to cut services in future.

It would make me enormously happy to be doing good while also shitty charity could see what they could have had.

I’d give to a couple of animal charities we support , the RNLI , Marie Curie , a local hospice and a good whack to Parkinson’s.

I would give fans to every bed space in my local hospital. I would buy blood mappers for every department and all gp surgeries in my area. I'd post a load of 1k cheques through random people's doors. I'd buy multiple holiday homes and give free use to all my family and friends. I would then donate a load to gosh, mind and samaritans.

Two things.

Community gardens/allotments with a staff member to support people to learn to grow healthy food, to cook it and to provide a sense of well-being and community spirit. It would include all ages and backgrounds, including some sort of mentorship fit teens. Opportunities for young people to train in horticulture too.

Early Years provision, excellent quality, family help so adults learn about their children, play based, lots of outdoor. Support for people to train too. Getting children off to the best start possible where this is likely not the case.

I would want to help others, but by helping them to help themselves.

This thread is making me think of all those who do have ££ & could make a huge impact. The sad fact is it’s never quite enough as people acclimatise smallest yacht syndrome NB: Beckhams. Although I think Beckhams are generous re: charities, etc.

Oooh I want to do something similar but it would be a reading retreat.

Loads of books, librarians on hand to make recommendation, and then lots of lovely places to read them - light airy rooms, warm and cosy rooms, reading nooks with views, comfortable sheltered outside seating

And some lovely walks and a nice pool, with no pressure to exercise but just there if you want a break.

And I would make sure a decent percentage of the bedrooms were for mums who need respite from caring responsibilities whether that's older children or just young babies

I know. I agree. I cannot fathom having that much money and not wanting to change lives with it.

Billionaires could give just a tiny bit of their fortune away and it would make a monumental difference