Viral competition winner scores $1.8 million lotto prize

FOUR years ago, this bloke was named “Punching Above Your Weight” champion. Now, he’s scored another incredible win.

FOUR years ago, Darren Donaghey became a viral sensation after being crowned “Punching Above Your Weight” champion.

The UK resident, from Newcastle upon Tyne, won a controversial local radio competition in 2014 which had been looking for the country’s most physically mismatched couple.

Mr Donaghey, 33, took out the top prize after getting together with his blond then-fiancee Kate, instantly making headlines around the world.

“For years I’ve had stick about how I managed to woo Kate and it’s not unusual to be out together and other guys to innocently start chatting Kate up, thinking that I couldn’t possibly be with her,” Mr Donaghey told The Chronicle at the time.

Darren Donaghey was named ‘Punching Above Your Weight’ competition champion in 2014. Picture: Facebook/@Kate Donaghey

“I love Darren dearly and as most people know, looks aren’t everything. We joke about it all the time,” Kate, 28, said.

As part of the competition, the couple won an all-inclusive, two-week holiday to Rhodes, Greece, which they used for their honeymoon after tying the knot.

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But now, four years on, Mr Donaghey is being described as “Britain’s luckiest man” yet again after the pair won a massive $1.8 million lottery prize.

They won the National Lottery prize after picking up a ticket while buying milk at the shops.

The couple, who have two children aged 3 and 6, both with autism, told The Mirror they planned to use their winnings to create sensory rooms for the kids.

They also plan to move to a bigger home.

Mr Donaghey said the winning Monopoly Classic scratchie happened to catch his eye as he was waiting in the shopping queue.

Darren and Kate Donaghey from Newcastle, celebrate their win. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire/AAP

“Winning the lottery is something which only happens to other people. We still cannot believe this has happened to ordinary people like Kate and myself,” he told The Mirror.

“This money will just totally change our lives and the lives of our children too.

“We are currently in a two-bedroom house and desperately need more room for the children. Now all of our dreams have come true with this win.”

Mr Donaghey, who works as call centre customer service adviser, said the family would also donate some cash to autism charities which have helped them.

“We want to raise more awareness of autism and this win will help us to do this,” he said.

“We will also help our family as much as we possibly can too.

Darren and Kate Donaghey are still celebrating their win. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire/AAP

“Initially I think time away will be really important, so we are planning to go on a family holiday and think carefully about what our priorities will be.”

He said the life-changing win was still sinking in.

“I couldn’t actually believe it when I was looking at a scratchcard which was worth £1 million ($A1.8 million) and I literally had £1 million in my hand,” he said.

“I just screamed but I also felt numb. I just couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

“I rushed home and Kate just thought I was joking. I don’t think either of us actually believed what was happening to us.”

While the couple have always considered the “Punching Above Your Weight” competition to be harmless fun, there was some backlash at the time it was held.

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