A LOTTERY winner who scooped a fortune on EuroMillions is now helping mums on benefits get into work.
Zoe Hoare set up a ladies boutique after winning £1 million – and was later joined by scratchcard winners Danielle Heavens and Taryn Hawkes.
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Working alongside The Women’s Work Lab nine-month programme, which helps mums rebuild confidence and get back to work, Zoe created a pop-up shop providing the perfect clothing for each of the job hunters.
It’s based at The Great Western Hotel, Taunton, Somerset.
Zoe said, “Every one of the ladies we have worked with today is celebrating their last day in the classroom with Taunton Women’s Work Lab, before exploring work experience opportunities and for some, attending job interviews.
“We know a new top or some super stylish trousers won’t guarantee a job, but we really hope that each of the graduating mums will be able to feel that bit more proud of their achievement and a little more confident when they do step through the door of a possible employer.”
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Zoe scooped the live-changing prize with husband Nick in May 2017. The couple were running The White Horse Inn in Quidhampton, Wiltshire, when they matched the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker code.
Danielle’s then-fiancé Jamie, meanwhile, bought a winning scratchcard in 2016 while filling up his van on the way to work. The couple have since enjoyed a lavish wedding and invested in properties.
However, neither gave up their day job, as Bournemouth roofer Jamie – who was just 22 at the time – told the BBC in 2019.
He said: “People think I’m minted – that I’m cash rich and can just go and buy what I want every day. But it’s not like that.
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“I’m living a comfortable life now. I’m running my own business, I’ve got my own family, but it’s not a case of if I want that £70,000 car, I’m just going to go out and spend it.
“I’m still money conscious about things. I live a normal day-to-day life, pay myself a normal wage and my wife goes to work two days a week.
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“We bought a couple of properties, we don’t have a mortgage on them. Money makes you more comfortable but it shouldn’t change the way you live your life.”
Taryn and her husband Grant, from Cornwall, won big on the Lotto Lucky Dip in 2018.
When Taryn realised she had won the prize, she “screamed so loudly the whole street heard me”.
She continued to work as a teaching assistant – and spent the sum on medical treatment to stop her husband Grant spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
Speaking about their charitable scheme, Taryn said: “I can relate to so many of the stories we have heard today and am humbled by the sacrifices many of the mums have made to make sure they complete the Women’s Work Lab programme.
“Before our incredible spot of National Lottery luck, we were in a very difficult position financially and times were very tough.
“My secret weapon to feel confident was always my shoes – if I had snazzy shoes, I felt braver.
“So hopefully some of the amazing outfits we have created today will help these inspirational mums feel that same level of extra confidence.”
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The Women’s Work Lab is a social enterprise and its programmes combine bespoke classroom training with a work placement, 1-to-1 career coaching and mentoring.
Unlike other training, the programme is uniquely designed specifically for mums so they can find work that really works for them and their families.
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