Manchester school chef who has supported his wife through ill health for over a decade plans to finally treat the family to little luxuries and quality time together, after winning £1M on EuroMillions.
Ian Steele (53), and wife Nick (51) of Heywood, Greater Manchester haven’t always been able to enjoy the things many take for granted. Nick was diagnosed with MS 18 years ago while pregnant with the couple’s daughter, Chloe, and the family made major adjustments to put her health first.
Ian explains, “Nick had to medically retire from her role as a specialist dental nurse, supporting and caring for extremely sick people at Manchester Hospital. While it was absolutely the right thing to do, it made things that little bit more difficult. We’ve had to be careful with money and not splurge.
Must be a mistake
Early riser Ian first checked his numbers on the National Lottery app when he got up at 5AM and was initially disappointed with the result. Ian explains, “I had no matching numbers so thought it’s off to work I go.”
During his break, Ian spotted an email from the National Lottery saying he had won a prize, and he assumed it was a mistake. “I thought no I haven’t, I’ve already checked. I logged into the app and still only had £1.50 in my account, but then it sunk in. In the draw results the raffle number was lit up in blue with a tick next to it.”
Ian won by matching the raffle code on the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker. Instead of matching numbers of a draw, each ticket is given a unique code which is entered into a raffle, with a top prize of £1M.
“I didn’t think it was real. I went into the kitchen and asked my chef to look. He took a moment and then said: ‘I think you’ve won a million pounds!’. That’s when I started shaking like a leaf”
When Ian called Nick, she struggled to believe it wasn’t a joke. Nick admits, “It was only when the lady from The National Lottery turned up to pay us and handed us a bottle of Champagne that I think I finally let myself believe it was real.”
A dream come true
Teenage daughter Chloe immediately got teary and emotional when she was told the news. Ian said, “I’m the dreamer in the house and always said that if we won big, we’d treat ourselves. The first thing Chloe asked is ‘does that mean we can go to Disneyland now?’. We’re big Star Wars fans and it’s something we’ve always talked and dreamed about – and now that dream will come true.”
This win will make an immeasurable difference to the Steele family’s life.
“We can go on holiday, we can go and watch Arsenal in London and stay overnight, we can go to a gig. It takes the financial weight off our shoulders.”
“Due to Nick’s condition, it is more difficult to do even simple things with friends. We always plan ahead to make sure anywhere we go is accessible, it’s an additional layer of worry. This win gives us so many more options. Now when friends are getting together, we can be part of it, it really means everything.”
While Ian plans to continue his job as a School Chef Manager, the foodie family traded up the school meals Ian usually prepares for a luxury grazing platter to celebrate the £1m win.
Ian’s winning ticket matched the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker raffle code MCPZ 71386 in the draw on May 13, 2025, which guarantees a prize of £1M.
