Winners

National Lottery winners give boxing club a knockout makeover

An inspirational boxing club in Northern Ireland which helps young people keep fit, stay in education and develop their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, has been given a makeover by a team of National Lottery winners.

In the run-up to World Mental Health Day, the winners visited Monkstown Boxing Club in Newtownabbey to freshen up the paintwork. Established more than 40 years ago, the club has received more than £1.6Million of National Lottery funding for initiatives designed to keep young people in mainstream education and help them develop academic, emotional and life skills.

Monkstown Boxing Club also provides breakfast and after school clubs and programmes designed to develop youth leadership and employability. Each week, more than 250 young people and families make use of its activities, services and support.

Head coach Paul Johnston, who was awarded an MBE in 2022 for his work with hundreds of disadvantaged children, said, “We are incredibly grateful to The National Lottery winners for giving up their time to paint our club. We are so much more than a boxing club – we are a place where cycles are broken, potential is unlocked and greatness is truly unleashed. We can’t wait to unveil our new look to our members, and we’re thrilled to have had the winners along to help make this a reality.”

Frances Connolly, originally from County Tyrone, who scooped £115Million on EuroMillions six years ago, was part of the group that transformed the club. Following their win, Frances and husband Patrick, launched a charitable foundation that supports community groups to achieve their goals, fulfil their ambitions and reach their potential.

Frances said, “Since our win, I have been passionate about getting involved with charitable groups and causes close to my heart. So, I was more than happy to be part of the team helping to give Monkstown Boxing Club a new look and loved getting stuck in with everyone!

“It was lovely to spend time meeting the young people who use the club, along with the incredibly inspirational team who work there every day. I hope our efforts go some way to improving the space for the local people who value it so much.”

Joining Frances were Jonny and Christina Johnston, from County Fermanagh, who won £3.8Million in 2023. Jonny said, “Seeing the work that Monkstown Boxing Club does has been amazing – it’s clear that the young people attending are at the centre of everything happening there.

“From the boxing sessions right through to the wellbeing support they provide, the team is fully committed to enriching their lives. Being part of today has been a great experience and I’m proud to have played a role in developing what is already a fantastic space.”

Completing the team of winners were Catherine Kidd, from Draperstown, who won £1Million in 2017 and Claire Marks, from Ballyclare, who won £250,000 in 2015.

20th October 2025

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 7,400 new millionaires created and by playing The National Lottery you raise over £4 million for Good Causes every dayΔ.

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