Hungarian László Andraschek believes in paying things forward. The 55-year-old formerly homeless alcoholic has won £1.7m in the lottery with a ticket he bought on his way to a meeting for recovering alcoholics and plans to donate a significant amount to a homeless charity, writes Independent UK.

The Guardian reports that he has bought a total of six properties since his win in September and has made a large donation to a hostel and plans to advocate and work for increasing awareness on the plight of Hungary's 30,000 homeless people. Andraschek and his wife are also looking at setting up a charitable foundation for people in need.

Heading to Budapest when he thought to buy the ticket with a few coins he had at a railway station. He chose only six numbers and added a seventh when the sales assistant reminded him, "I told her to make it 24 - it doesn't matter, anyway."

Mr. Andraschek has been homeless since the age of 31 and has since been in and out of jobs, homeless and in debt. During one of the lowest points in his life, he attempted to take his life which ended in vain as the rope snapped. Days after, he woke up in a ditch with frostbite which led to his foot needing to be amputated.

As a man who has seen it all, he met his wife Anikó in 1999 through a social worker and has since been trying to raise her three children together. They've suffered through great hardships and remain humble in their winnings.

They've decided to live in a modest suburban area and focus on philanthropy. Anikó says, "Our foundation will be directed at helping people who have lost their human dignity. It is our duty to take those people who have shared our difficult experiences by the hand, which is why we are planning to call the foundation Állj Mellém! (Stand By Me!) because it is easier to survive and then move on with someone beside you." She continues: "Money will not be the focus, but anyone who is willing to help in any way is welcome. With it we can shake people out of their indifference so that they will not just step over the supine."

The couple believes the win is a divine miracle they received during a time of great need. "We received this help at the very last minute. The world is opening up to us and it is beautiful: of course we also see the bad things, but life is beautiful."