A 15‑strong syndicate of former finance colleagues from Wales is celebrating after winning £1,000,000 in the EuroMillions draw on Friday 27 February.
The £1M EuroMillions win has done far more than turn 15 former colleagues into winners, it’s brought a tight‑knit group of friends back together after years apart.
Bonded through long 14‑hour days in the finance team, the “Tata Steel Syndicate” began as a light‑hearted way to lift spirits during busy working weeks. Even after many of them left the company, they stayed connected through their little tradition: a £5 contribution to the draw and a hopeful email whenever the jackpot tipped over £100M.
And now, after years of staying in touch through email and the odd pint, this win has given them something incredible. They now have the perfect reason to reunite, celebrate, and remember their time together.
At the heart of it is syndicate leader Paul Davy (61), who kept the tradition alive for seven years, sending those hopeful emails, keeping everyone connected, and treating the lottery more like “an opportunity to donate to charity – with the chance of winning as a bonus” as he’d often say. His shock and joy at seeing that winning code has now sparked a long‑overdue reunion and a wave of life‑changing dreams among the group.
When recounting the moment he realised they had won, Paul said, “I couldn’t believe it – a message just popped up on the app!”
“I was checking Saturday’s draw when a message flashed up. I thought it must be an error – but then I saw the winning Millionaire Maker code. I was in complete shock” he said.
For Paul, the win means the chance to treat himself after years of hard work in finance – starting with a new car and a very special holiday.
“Me and my partner went on a cruise a couple of years ago. She was really nervous about it at first as she doesn’t like boats, but it turns out we absolutely loved it! So another cruise is definitely on the cards, perhaps around the Mediterranean this time.”
All members of the Tata Steel Syndicate still live local to one another, and have remained in touch even after having moved on from the company.
Among those celebrating are:
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Gill Furlong
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Christine Davies
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Sally Wise
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Julie Lambert
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Allan Evans
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Ian Howells
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Raja Prasad
The win has also given the group a long‑overdue opportunity to reunite in person. While a handful of members still meet occasionally for “a game of pool and a beer”, with busy lives, work and family commitments, the whole group hasn’t got together in years.
“This win has given us the perfect excuse to celebrate together properly,” said Paul.
The syndicate members are already planning how they’ll use their share of the £1,000,000 prize. Top of the list are:
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Paying off mortgages
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Planning a dream kitchen
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New cars
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Family holidays to bucket list destinations
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Being able to help out family and friends
The Tata Steel Syndicate played EuroMillions using The National Lottery app for the draw on Friday 27 February 2026 and won after matching the Millionaire Maker code.
As Paul said, the syndicate always thought of the money spent more as an opportunity to donate to charity. Each week, players help generate around £32M for National Lottery-funded projects. With over £52BN raised for Good Causes since launch, this funds hundreds of projects in every postcode area across the UK.
