Dolly Parton inspired North East lottery winner’s charity work

In honour of Connolly’s 60th birthday, seven athletes who appreciated her support for young sporting talent will run, swim or cycle a total of 60 miles to raise money for PFC.

They are due to start the challenge at a family fun day at Middlesbrough Velodrome on Sunday, culminating in a team taking on the Great North Run for the trust.

Connolly said she was delighted the athletes wanted to give something back to the trust that supported them.

She said: “I am at pains to explain to people that despite being a millionaire, I can’t cure poverty, and I certainly can’t do everything that’s needed to be done on my own.”

The couple are originally from Northern Ireland and moved to Hartlepool for work in the 1990s.

Connolly worked as a social worker and teacher and her husband continues to run a plastics business.

The couple said they enjoyed good holidays, have a large house on Teesside but remained aware of value for money and bought things such as luxury watches and cars second hand.

She said: “We have a lovely life. I always tell people, we have the same life, we just live it bigger.”

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