Life changing

See how you helped John, 60, come in from the cold

At the lowest point in his life, John Priestley was homeless on the streets of Rochdale. Now, he's a key player at the National Football Museum.

When visiting the National Football Museum in Manchester, families and fans might well be greeted, given directions or led through a show by John, an enthusiastic and outgoing volunteer. Few would guess the extraordinary journey that brought the 60-year-old here.

Homelessness

In winter 2015, a cocktail of financial difficulties, stress and anxiety led to John losing his home. He spent a number of weeks moving between different friends’ sofas and spare rooms, before his luck ran out and he ended up on the streets. “It is the worst I’ve been,” John confesses, sat on the bench in Rochdale where he found himself sleeping. “I sat here, and I don’t mind saying, I prayed.”

Change of fortune

Fortunately for John, one night he was taken in by a stranger, who gave him a roof to sleep under, and took him to a shelter the next day. Thankfully, John’s fortunes began to change.

He began to socialise more. A friend suggested he take part in the National Lottery-funded ‘Improving Futures: Volunteering for Wellbeing’ project and the rest, as they say, is history.

“Volunteering has given me all kinds of life skills”, John said. “My confidence is sky-high. I’ve gone from zero to hero.”

Every time you play The National Lottery, you raise money for good causes and good people, like John. Thank you.

The National Lottery has been changing the lives of winners and supporting good causes across the UK since 1994. In that time, there have been more than 7,000 new millionaires created and by playing The National Lottery you raise over £4 million for Good Causes every dayΔ.

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