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The Express Gazette
Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Couple Wins Lottery Twice, Defying 24 Trillion-to-One Odds

A Welsh couple has achieved an extraordinary feat by winning the lottery jackpot on two separate occasions, with experts estimating the odds against such a double win at 24 trillion to one.

US Politics 3 hours ago
Couple Wins Lottery Twice, Defying 24 Trillion-to-One Odds

Faye and Richard Stevenson-Davies, from Powys, Wales, have defied astronomical odds to win the lottery twice, first in June 2018 and again in November 2025. Their initial win was a seven-figure sum from the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker draw, followed by another £1 million victory in the Lotto draw.

Experts have calculated the chances of such a double win to be as high as 24 trillion to one, making the couple exceptionally fortunate. Faye Stevenson-Davies described the experience as "magical" and a testament to their continued belief that "anyone can win."

When they first won, Faye, then a mental health nurse, and Richard, a hairdresser, were not living in luxury. The initial disbelief upon discovering their winnings led to a somewhat chaotic journey to the National Lottery's winner's lounge, including a breakdown on the motorway on the way to meet advisor Andy Carter.

Carter, the National Lottery's chief winner's advisor, has guided over 2,500 winners and £4 billion in sudden wealth. He reportedly advised the couple to consider financial advisors rather than dictating spending.

Following their first win, the Stevenson-Davieses made practical choices, including purchasing a minibus for a local rugby team and supporting friends and family. However, they continued to play the lottery.

Their second win came as a surprise, with Faye recalling Richard waking her up in the early morning to show her the winning numbers. The reality of a second jackpot sank in quicker than the first, leading them to adopt a different financial strategy.

For their second windfall, the couple focused on "future proofing" their lives and purchased their "forever home." Beyond personal security, the couple has actively engaged in charitable work. Faye, who retrained as a pluralistic practitioner and EMDR therapist, now offers free counseling sessions through a "pay it forward scheme." They have also volunteered with organizations such as Powys Mind and the DPJ Foundation, participating in activities like repainting community center rooms and supporting pet therapy initiatives.

The couple has also found camaraderie among other lottery winners, connecting through online groups and events. Faye described a unifying "bond" and a shared experience of unexpected fortune, emphasizing the positive atmosphere and mutual support within the winner's community.

Despite the statistical improbability, Richard remains keen to continue playing the lottery, with Faye noting that the money contributes to many charitable causes, making participation feel like a way of giving back. The National Lottery has been creating more millionaires than ever, with a new draw format expected to generate hundreds more annually. Since the start of 2025, Lotto has already created over 130 millionaires.Then, just seven years later, the pair matched five main numbers and the bonus ball in the Lotto draw on November 26, 2025 in another £1million victory. According to experts, the odds of Faye and Richard scoring that staggering double-win were a remarkable 24-trillion-to-oneIn a poignant show of their charitable commitments, in June, Faye and Richard picked up their paintbrushes and rolled up their sleeves to help repaint South Powys Mind's main rooms in the Wellbeing CentreIn June 2018, mental health practitioner Faye Stevenson-Davies, 44, and her husband Richard, 50, from Powys, Wales, scooped a seven-figure jackpot playing the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker draw


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