Frances Connolly, who won £115 million on the National Lottery in 2019 with her husband, Paddy, has given away about half of their winnings to charity. To celebrate her 60th birthday, seven athletes supported by her PFC Trust in North East England are participating in a 60-mile challenge involving running, swimming, and cycling. The event will culminate with the Great North Run, a popular annual 13.1-mile race held in Newcastle. Connolly, originally from Northern Ireland, was a social worker and teacher before her lottery win. She has cited country music legend Dolly Parton as a key influence on her charitable work, saying that once people have enough, sharing is part of human nature. Dolly Parton, who recently passed away at 80, was known for her generosity, having donated vast sums to causes like child literacy, despite having the potential to be a billionaire. Despite their significant wealth, Connolly and her husband continue to live modestly, buying second-hand items and focusing on providing their children with a comfortable life while supporting others. Connolly explained that their lifestyle hasn't changed much, except they now "live it bigger" than before. The PFC Trust has funded various community projects, such as providing respite caravans for young carers, digital resources for the elderly, emergency food supplies, and defibrillators for local sports clubs. Connolly emphasized that while she cannot single-handedly end poverty, she works alongside hundreds of people daily to make a difference. To mark Frances’ 60th birthday, the "60 for 60 Challenge" will begin with a family fun day at Middlesbrough Velodrome, featuring running, swimming, and cycling events. The challenge will conclude with a team participating in the Great North Run on behalf of the PFC Trust. Paul Hewitson, one of the athletes taking part in the race, said Connolly's example inspired them to help through sport, recognizing the importance of physical activity for young people's health and well-being.