Man who won £13m on Lotto gets unlikely new job that brings 'tears to his eyes'

A man who won millions on the Lotto has taken on an unexpected new job - and says he is determined to make a positive impact on lives around him.

Peter Congdon, 76, won £13.5m on the National Lottery and, after winning big on the Lotto, the ex-bus driver and retired funeral director splashed out on luxury cars, including a BMW i8 and a Bentley Continental, much like many Lotto winners over the past 30 years.

But he says he found his true calling of becoming a chauffeur when he aided a distraught bride during lockdown. When the woman's wedding faced repeated cancellations and securing a wedding car seemed impossible, Peter provided a lifeline by providing her one of his luxury cars. Now the benevolent grandfather of ten operates his own fleet to assist those in need, ranging from teenagers attending their prom to individuals in hospice care nearing life's end, reports Cornwall Live.

Recounting the fortuitous encounter with the bride, Peter recalled: "It was such a memorable moment, when the bride walked out, she was expecting to climb into her dad's car and instead, she looked up and saw my Bentley parked across the street, and realised she did have a beautiful wedding car.

"She wept so much that she had to go back in to get her makeup fixed."

Peter, who forgoes the typical £500 fee for a luxury wedding vehicle, added: "Since then, when I hear of a bride who can't afford a car, I'll step in to volunteer. I think I've taken more than 25 Cornish brides to say 'I do'.

"I always turn up in my best suit to help make it the happiest day of her life, and the only payment I need is to see the joy on their faces."

Peter's kindness has extended beyond weddings and school proms; he's also driven bereaved families to funerals and taken hospice patients on day trips.

One particularly touching act involved fulfilling a terminally ill girl's wish to feel like royalty. He shared: "The local hospice rang me, and explained a young lady was terminally ill with cancer, could I help make her princess dream come true?

"I immediately said I would drive her, and when I turned up she was in a stunning white princess dress, with her hair and make-up done. The sight of her dressed up as a beautiful princess brought tears to my own eyes."

Peter added: "A few months ago, I heard of a woman who couldn't afford to get to her brother's funeral in Redruth. I picked her up in my Bentley and drove her there for free. I couldn't ease her grief but I could at least make sure she didn't have to catch a bus."

While Peter's chauffeur service has delighted many, providing both savings and the chance to ride in a dream car, his benevolence extends beyond driving. After winning the Lotto jackpot, Peter generously donated £1.2 million to establish an anti-gravity hydro pool at the Merlin Centre to honour his late wife Rosemary, who had fought Multiple Sclerosis for over 30 years.

He even purchased a new Range Rover and immediately turned it over for a charity raffle at the centre. His donations have amounted to more than £1.4 million in total.

This November commemorates the 30th anniversary of The National Lottery since its inception in 1994.

The lottery has since produced over 7,200 millionaires or multimillionaires through its various games, with an average of seven millionaires emerging each week - equating to one for every day of the year.

On a weekly basis, players contribute an impressive £30 million to projects financed by The National Lottery, resulting in upwards of 690,000 grants awarded throughout the UK.

These funds bolster numerous sectors including arts and sport - from supporting local charities that make a difference in your community to aiding British athletes in securing Olympic and Paralympic medals.