A Ryanair passenger from Liverpool has won €500,000 in the airline's annual charity lottery "Win A Million".

The winner, Helen Swindells, bought a charity scratch-off ticket for two euros during a flight between Krakow and Liverpool in May 2025 – without realizing that the ticket would later win her half a million euros.

The ticket was purchased in support of British charity Naomi & Jacks, which helps seriously ill children and young people. The organisation is one of 13 European charities supported by Ryanair's in-flight scratchcard programme.

"I just bought the ticket to support the charity. I never imagined I would win anything close to this," says Helen Swindells.

The final of the competition was held at Slane Castle in Ireland where the winner participated in Ryanair's big annual draw with the opportunity to win up to one million euros.

In addition to the main prize, Ryanair's scratch cards also offer other prizes such as cash prizes, gift cards and the chance to win a car.

“Ryanair’s charity programme makes a real difference to organisations across Europe while giving passengers the chance to win fantastic prizes,” says Aoife Greene from Ryanair.

Ryanair's charity scratch cards are sold on board flights within the company's European network.