The lucky winner purchased a €2 scratch card on a flight to Liverpool
Ms Swindells purchased the scratch card in support of the UK charity Naomi & Jacks(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ryanair has announced the lucky winner of its 2026 ‘Win a Million’ charity scratch card draw, who has secured a life-changing €500,000.
Helen Swindells, from Liverpool, attended Ryanair’s Win a Million event at Slane Castle in Co Meath on Wednesday to celebrate her half-a-million euro win after purchasing a lucky Ryanair Charity Scratch Card for just €2 on a flight from Krakow to Liverpool in May 2025
Speaking at the event, Ms Swindells said: “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?’.
€500k Ryanair ‘Win A Million’ Draw Winner, Helen Swindells
“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!”
Ms Swindells purchased the scratch card in support of the UK charity Naomi & Jacks, which is an independent organisation that offers specialist care for more than 600 seriously ill babies, children and young adults.
Supporting 13 charities across Europe, Ryanair’s Scratch Card programme gives passengers the opportunity to win cash prizes worth €10,000, a brand new car, Ryanair onboard spend credits and the chance to qualify for the annual ‘Win a Million’ grand prize draw.
Commenting on the staggering win, Ryanair’s Aoife Greene added: “We are delighted for Helen on her incredible €500,000 Ryanair Win a Million win. 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.”
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