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'What you've never had, you never miss': Canadian couple who won $11.2m in the lottery give it ALL away to charity
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:03 PM on 4th November 2010
A Canadian couple who won $11.2million (£7million) on the lottery have given it all away to friends, charities and hospitals. Allen and Violet Large, both in their 70s, said their good fortune earlier this year had been a 'big headache' and they had decided against going on a spending spree. 'What you’ve never had, you never miss,' Violet, 78, told the Toronto Star. She and Allen, 75, eventually decided it was better to give than receive and were totally at ease with handing over the money.
Allen and Violet Large, both in their 70s, said their good fortune earlier this year had been a 'big headache' and they had decided against going on a spending spree.
Married for 36 years, the pair retired in 1983 and moved from Ontario to Lower Truro, Nova Scotia, for a quieter life. Allen had worked as a welder for 30 years and Violet had been employed by a number of confectionery and cosmetic firms. 'We were pretty well set, not millionaires, but comfortable,' said Allen of the couple's financial set-up before their lottery win in July. At the time Violet was undergoing treatment for cancer and the pair feared being taken advantage of by 'crooked people'. 'That money that we won was nothing,' Allen told the Toronto Star. 'We have each other.'
Hospitals and charities in Lower Truro (pictured), Nova Scotia, were among the lucky recipients of the Larges' windfall
Violet has since had surgery to tackle her condition and received her last chemotherapy treatment a week ago.
Hospitals in Truro and Halifax, Nova Scotia, were among the main beneficiaries of the Larges' generosity after they decided on giving away every cent of their $11,255,272 win. After taking care of their families, the couple then gave donations to a long list of groups they had decided to help, including their local fire department, churches and cemeteries, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army.
The hospitals where Violet underwent her treatment and organisations that fight cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, also benefited from the couple's largesse. The Larges have not disclosed how much they gave to each organisation but said they are humbled and thankful for the phone calls and letters of gratitude they have received.' 'It made us feel good,' said Violet. 'And there's so much good being done with that money. 'We're the lucky ones,' she added. 'I have no complaints.'
