It’s hard to imagine someone walking away from a life-changing £22,590,829 win, but that’s exactly what Mark Gardiner has chosen not to do. Almost 30 years after his monumental lottery win, Mark has explained why he’s still at work—and the surprising reason behind his decision.
From Glazier to Lotto Winner: A Life Transformed Overnight
In 1995, Mark Gardiner and his business partner, Paul Maddison, were running a small glazing firm in Hastings, East Sussex. Their lives changed in an instant when they won the National Lottery jackpot. The staggering £22 million left them with financial security for generations—but it didn’t bring instant peace of mind.
While most people might imagine quitting work and living luxuriously, Mark chose a different path. Paul decided to walk away from the business, but Mark stayed in his role. “Whether it was nervousness, or fear of the unknown, I thought, ‘I’m going to keep working,’” Mark explained. “There was no lightning bolt moment—just a feeling of holding on to what I knew.”
A Box of Problems Becomes Much Bigger
Mark’s decision wasn’t just about staying busy—it had everything to do with the overwhelming changes that came with his newfound wealth. Mark described the experience as receiving a much bigger box of problems. “Before I won, I had a small box of problems. Winning enabled me to shelve that box, but then someone gave me a much bigger box,” he said.
Sudden wealth didn’t just come with financial freedom—it brought a whirlwind of emotions, confusion, and pressure. “One minute I had £11, and the next, £11 million. Nothing prepares you for it.”
The Burden of Requests: Family, Exes, and Old Acquaintances
Another unexpected aspect of winning big was the flood of requests for money. Mark was bombarded with letters from family members, old acquaintances, and even someone who had a grievance with him dating back to school. “It felt like every letter I opened had ‘We act on behalf of’ at the top. It was strange—everyone from my past seemed to come out of the woodwork asking for something.”
While some might have enjoyed the sudden attention, Mark found it overwhelming and alienating.
Why Staying at Work Became His ‘Safety Rail’
Despite the stress and confusion, Mark saw work as a stabilizing force. “It was my safety rail,” he said. “I thought I’d take my time and decide when to let go of it. Weeks, months—there was no rush.”
He admits that the experience of having millions overnight was frightening, with no manual to guide him. But staying at work kept him grounded, preventing him from feeling lost in the whirlwind of change.