Aird admits that she ‘thought her eyes were playing tricks on her’ when she checked the results of the draw online and discovered that her financial situation had been transformed in an instant. She says she was watching a stage production the next day when it suddenly hit her and, as a former amateur actor, she is determined to make a difference to her local theatre groups.
“I have an absolute passion for theatre and drama. I used to tread the boards myself but in recent years have become more involved behind the scenes in lighting," Aird said in the Oxford Mail, revealing that she wanted to improve the lighting at Abingdon’s Unicorn Theatre and provide microphone heads for the Didcot Phoenix Theatre and Synergy Group.
Aird has been thanked for her generosity by members of the Abingdon Drama Club and the Friends of Abingdon Civic Society, and she is now planning to move back to the town from Botley. As a music and sports fan, she is also excited about enjoying festivals with her partner Alick and going to see tennis and athletics events live.
She added: “Already I have put wheels in motion to pay off debts that I have carried around for too many years, and finally make a clean start. Putting things right and helping the local arts in Oxfordshire are priorities but I'd be lying if I didn't say the win will also make a difference to how Alick and I enjoy life.”
As Aird looks forward to a bright future, tonight’s EuroMillions draw will give other players the chance to see their dreams come true. As ever, there will be two guaranteed winners of the UK Millionaire Maker, while the EuroMillions jackpot is worth a stunning £34 million (€38 million).
Tickets can be bought online or from authorised retailers in all nine participating countries, and anyone lucky enough to grab a big win can celebrate fairytale ending of their own just like drama fan Pam. Best of luck!