After hitting the jackpot on โฌ200m, a French man has used his earnings to start an environmental protection foundation. He remains completely anonymous.
Everybody loves to talk about what theyโd do if they won the lottery.
Most people would be inclined to fulfil their dreams of buying a luxurious penthouse, a sports car, or a totally useless NFT just for the clout.
But an anonymous man โ know by the pseudonym Guy โ has decided to take his tremendous luck and use it to make the world a better place.
In December of 2020, Guy was enjoying his retirement in the south of France when he won โฌ200million after selecting the correct numbers on a EuroMillions lottery ticket.
Almost immediately after, he anonymously launched Anyama – an environmental foundation aimed at protecting forests and boosting biodiversity.
Though very little is known about the man, he is believed to have spent part of his childhood in the Ivory Coast as his foundation is named after a city located there.
In an open letter, Guy said that his motivation for playing (and ultimately winning) the lottery was never rooted in the desire to be rich or acquire expensive material items.
He instead played the EuroMillions only when there was โimportant jackpotsโ and with the intention of using the money for good.
Guyโs interest in reducing the impacts of climate change and boosting environmental protection have been firmly rooted after spending a large majority of his free time in nature.
The open letter continues with Guy stating that he wanted to give the large sum of money โmeaningโ by using it to create a โmaximum positive impact.โ As such, the Anyama foundationโs efforts will be focused on environmental projects in mainland France as well as its overseas territories.
Guyโs inspiration to start Anyama came from witnessing deforestation taking place in the Ivory Coast. He said that the number of trucks full of trees felled in the forests of Burkin Faso had โreally affected [him].โ
Sharing the sentiments of many young people around the world, Guy said โFrom my point of view, our main priority today is to save the planet, or rather to ensure that humans, the living, can continue to be hosted by our beautiful Earth.โ
โWe must act, it is an absolute emergency. If nothing is done in this area, all other actions will be in vain. We will no longer exist because the planet will become unliveable.โ
The woman in charge of handling lottery winners, Isabelle Cesari said that although no one has ever given such a significant sum as a donation, it is common for lottery winners to give part of their winnings to charitable and social causes.
For example, one individual won the lottery during the start of the pandemic and used a large portion of the money to purchase face masks and distribute them to the public.
And of course, Guy didnโt give all of his money to the climate foundation. Cesari reported that he did afford himself ownership of a luxury holiday residence paired with a long vacation holiday around France.
That said, Guy has said that the majority of the money he kept for himself is already being given away and that he will โgradually give away almost all of it.โ
Ending his letter, he said โSeeing the happy people around me is the greatest reward.’
Iโm Jessica (She/Her). Originally from Bermuda, I moved to London to get a Masterโs degree in Media & Communications and now write for Thred to spread the word about positive social change, specifically ocean health and marine conservation. You can also find me dipping my toes into other subjects like pop culture, health, wellness, style, and beauty. ย Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
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