A close-knit group of friends who regularly play EuroMillions are celebrating after winning a staggering €123 million (£100 million) jackpot. Yet, one member of the 21-person syndicate has openly shared that despite his impressive €5.8 million (£5 million) share, there is something he values far more than money.
Fernand, from Zingem in Belgium, said, “I would have preferred to be in good health. I’ve been fighting health issues for years, and good health means more to me than a large sum of money.”
He added, “The past year and a half have been tough. This money will help us ensure happiness for our children and grandchildren, but I still wish for my own wellbeing first.”
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Éric, another syndicate member, explained their approach to the lottery: “We only play when the jackpot crosses €100 million. We skipped Tuesday’s draw but joined the Friday one, with everyone pitching in five euros each. We bought four tickets at the Taerwe bakery nearby.”
Redgy Taerwe, the bakery owner, spoke about his mixed feelings: “One of the syndicate members called me to celebrate with champagne. I had to rush back early morning for work, but it was great news.”
Despite his joy, Redgy revealed a hint of regret, saying, “Unfortunately, I’m not part of the group. I won’t reveal the winners’ names — if they want, they’ll share themselves.”
Belgium has now seen two major EuroMillions wins in two months. In December, another lucky player from the small European country won €142 million (£123 million). Meanwhile, Britain’s recent winners have included three jackpot champions in 2025 alone, with prizes from £65 million to £83 million.
Many winners choose to remain anonymous, and some large prizes remain unclaimed. For example, in 2024, a Welsh player missed claiming a £1 million prize within the 180-day deadline, and the money was redirected to National Lottery-funded causes.
Andy Carter from the National Lottery remarked, “Sadly, the ticket-holder didn’t come forward, but these funds support vital projects, contributing over £30 million every week.”
The largest unclaimed EuroMillions prize in Britain was an astonishing £63.8 million from June 2012, a reminder of the fortunes that sometimes slip through grasp.