Ryanair changes Liverpool woman's life after she spent £2 at 30,000 feet
One jammy customer of budget airline Ryanair is absolutely rolling in it after buying a charity scratch card.
Fresh from cutting 12 European travel routes this summer due to the ongoing fuel crisis, the flight company headed for sunnier sights by announcing its annual winner of the 'Win A Million' draw today (May 14).
That person, Helen Swindells, who hails from Liverpool, is now €500,000 (£433,002) richer. Just let that sink in.
After purchasing a winning €2 Ryanair Charity Scratch Card on a flight from Krakow to Liverpool in May of last year, yesterday, the newly-minted Swindells headed to Ireland's Slane Castle to play for a €1 million (£866,005) jackpot.
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The original scratch card was bought in aid of the UK charity Naomi & Jacks - an independent fundraiser providing expert care for ill babies, children, and young adults.
Ryanair's scratch card programme also offers its many passengers the opportunity to claim a range of prizes, including: onboard spend credit, a new car, and €10,000 (£8,660) in cash.
Celebrating her magical moment at the 'Win A Million' event, Swindells commented: "I'm absolutely over the moon – never in a million years did I think boarding that Ryanair flight home to Liverpool from my holiday in Krakow that I would purchase a winning Ryanair Charity Scratch Card.
"I only bought the scratch card because I wanted to support Naomi House & Jacksplace. It was only €2, so I thought 'Why not?'. Little did I know that I'd win and have the opportunity to got to Slane Castle with the Ryanair Team and participate in Ryanair's annual 'Win a Million' event – an event that has changed my life forever.
"I knew there was a chance to win €1 million, but I just never thought I'd win anything close to that – let alone walking away with €500,000. It is completely life-changing and I couldn't be happier!"
Also weighing in on this massive win was Ryanair's very own Aoife Greene.
"We are delighted for Helen on her incredible €500,000 Ryanair 'Win a Million' win," she said. "Ryanair's Charity Scratch Card programme continues to make a real difference to our charity partners across Europe doing extraordinary work for children and families in need, while also giving our passengers the opportunity to win fantastic prizes."
Meanwhile, the airline was recently in the news over much more serious matters.
An unnamed British man was arrested onboard a Ryanair flight in France and could now be facing up to five years in prison after allegedly attempting to open the plane doors mid-flight.
He was flying from London to Alicante at the time, but the vessel was diverted to Toulouse as a result of his actions.
Dan Seddon