Secret Millionaire – Hilary Devey
A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE businesswoman who lives near Burton is to appear on a hit television series after giving away £160,000 of her personal fortune to community projects.
Hilary Devey is the founder and owner of Pall-Ex – a leading pallet distribution company – which employs around 400 people at its base in Ellistown, near Coalville, and many thousands more across the country.
Earlier this year, Ms Devey swapped her luxurious home in the Edward VII wing at Rangemore Hall to spend 10 days living in a run-down council flat in Rochdale, Lancashire.
The switch was for Channel 4 series The Secret Millionaire, in which millionaires live undercover in deprived areas to find individuals and projects they think deserve a slice of their fortune.
The experience saw Bolton-born mother-of-one Ms Devey return to her North West roots, albeit to a ‘grotty’ flat in one of the most depressed corners of that region.
Rochdale’s Falinge estate was dubbed the ‘scrounging capital of the UK’ after a report on GMTV – broadcast two days before Ms Devey arrived there – claimed nearly 80 per cent of its residents were on benefits.
“There was what you would find on any inner-city estate – asylum-seekers, drug pushers and mass unemployment, but equally there were some really nice, honest, genuine people,” she said.
After finding work as a barmaid in a local pub, Ms Devey offered her services to voluntary groups including a cash-strapped community centre and a pioneering music project keeping youngsters off the streets.
She says her experience left her feeling only admiration for the group’s volunteers – all of whom were ignorant of her ‘secret’ life.
“You couldn’t but admire them,” she said. “These people are working equally as hard as you or I, but for nothing.
“I have had problems with my own son in terms of drug abuse, and to me anything that can take kids off the street and channel them into something creative has to be a good thing.
“I was talking to people who attend these projects and they told me what it means to them. I spent a lot of time talking to these people and it gave me such a buzz.”
After her 10-day stint, Ms Devey chose three projects which will between them receive around £160,000 of her own money.
She says the receipients were ‘genuinely shocked’ when she revealed – in front of the television cameras – who she really was, although one lady said she had suspected something, telling her: “I didn’t think you could be on benefits because your nails are too manicured and your teeth are too white”.
Ms Devey says the recipients were ‘over the moon’ with the money they received, which will enable them to carry on their vital work in the community, while she also took something out of the experience.
“It was a bit like being Santa Claus,” she said. “I felt very privileged to take part and met some lovely people along the way.”
The Secret Millionaire will be screened on Channel 4 on Tuesday at 9pm.
September 15th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Hilary Devey i thought was a brilliant mother the way she has stood by her son she is a very hard working and devoted mother. She has been taken for a ride by people who she thought was friends and she finds it difficult to trust people. Who wouldnt feel the way she does. She is not selfish but a damn hard worker who deserves to be a millionair because she has worked for what she has got. She is also a millionair mother because all the money in the world would mean nothing to this lady without her son who needed his mothers help. Good on you Hillary i think you are fantastic and you have done all this on your own.My heart goes out to you and your son and you both deserve everything that you have worked so hard for. Another brilliant series of the secret millionair.
Regards Lesley Savery
September 26th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Hilary Devey is an inspiration. We would be happy to support her son if he wants to write.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
What does one say of such a great and wonderful role model as Hillary Devey.
I know that this is very late to be posting this as the episode on Secret Millionaire where Mrs Devey helped so many deserving people was on air a good few months ago.
Ever since I watched that episode I have not been able to stop thinking of what Mrs Devey had done for all those people, this just shows what a great person she is.
As for all the problems she has gone through with her son, I think it is great that she stuck by him and helped him through his dark days, I think in today’s world to many people are to quick to give up on other people. I am going through a similar situation with my mother. My mother lives back in my South Africa and has come across hard times and I have tried every thing in my power to help her and to help her find a job back in SA but no luck, many people have told me to just let her get on with her own life as I have my own partner and should get on with mine. After watching Mrs Devey and reading up on her I have started to think that she is correct and I will always try and help my Mom and be there for her but she will have to try and help her self, as we can all go through this one day and in these times we all need some one to lean on.
Mrs Devey you will most likely never read this and you will never know me if I crossed you in the street but I just want you to know I think you are a great inspiration to not only me but to many many people out there. The world should have more people like you in it and what a better world this would be.
Kind regards
Mr C Smith
November 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 pm
You are great Hillary Devey
November 29th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Mr Smith, you arewrong – I have read your mail and I am delighted that you are helpimg your mother. Thank you to all those posting such nice and complimentary comments which seems to make evrything worthwhile
December 26th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
I just wanted to say what a wonderful inspirational, kind and compassionate woman Hilary Devey is.
I watched the last series of Secret Millionaire and caught up on the series on Christmas Day, and saw Hilary again. I thought she was the nicest of all the millionaires, and watching her again made me cry!!
I keep thinking how I would love to know somebody like her in my life, such a positive person considering the challenges she has had in her life.
Both my parents have passed away, and I would give anything to have a mother like her.
You are the best Hilary, a lovely, lovely lady and deserve everything you have, keep doing what you are doing!
December 28th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I have just watched the re-run Secret Millionnaire with Hilary Devey, I have seen a few of these but no one has touched me quite the way she did, with the quatilites that you have, you are an amazing caring women. Well Done.
We all live in a tough world and make the best out of what we have.
A GREAT BIG WELL DONE.
Hilary if you read this: I would love to perhaps take you for a nice meal as a thank you from me for what you have done for many others (thats if you just fancy a normal night out and have an evening free).
Well done again.
December 28th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
you are cool women
December 29th, 2008 at 9:40 am
i need your mail for read for you God bLESS YOU
February 21st, 2009 at 10:02 pm
madame Hillary Devey, thanks a million for sharing your own fortune with the communities. we want to thank you so much for reaching out to people… we will pray for you and your family. we will also pray for you so you will live forever. God many blessing upon you Hilary xxx we have been touched by your programmes on TV… we love you..xxxx
May 18th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I have read the article in the You magazine in Sunday’s Mail on Sunday.
I am pleased to hear that you have stood by your son, and that he now seems to have turned the corner. I and a few friends of mine unfortunately lost our children to drugs. We all found that there wasn’t the help and support needed to help and support us in helping our young ones. We all agree that Cannabis is the start of the slippery slope. Our support group lobby MPs and drug agencies and support parents who are at a loss trying to understand how people in high places still believe that Cannabis is not harmful. The support group is a registered charity called the Luke and Marcus Trust. Please have a look at their website for further information.
May 24th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Dear Hilary, just wanted to say thank you for introducing me to the nicest, most selfless, most energetic group of people via the medium of tv. What a privilege and what an inspiration they are. Fantastic and so are you.
Best wishes. Antonia
May 24th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Just watched the repeat and enjoyed seeing Hilary get such comfort from giving!
A few more people like her in this world would be briliant.Shes Gods Gift!A Giver!!
May 25th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
i have watched so many of those shows but not one have i felt the urge to look into the person giving up their time and money. i was truly taken by you hilary i had problems with drugs with one of my sons -it doesnt matter who you are or what your finances are its tough – but you managed to get through that and make your business a sucess – you are “1 hell of a lady” more hillarys in the world with or without money is what we need!!
May 25th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
hello hilliary everytime i see this documentary it brings tears to my eyes i know you are a very genuine person you did that from the heart may god bless you and may everything you touch become successful i also felt the gratefulness of shiela the person who runs the centre, i so encouraged of people like you all who make a difference putting people first and yourself after thanks for being who you are.
May 29th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Down to earth, warm, caring.
A normal hardworking member of society.
Write a book Hilary, you are so interesting.
August 4th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Hilary I think you are fantastic and are feeling better now. I just saw the tv series and I kept hoping that now you have true friends who do not take advantage of your kindness. If you ever come to Sydney Australia I would love to meet you.
August 4th, 2009 at 11:42 am
I sent a comment but I don’t know if it went through.
Hilary I hope one day you come to Sydney Australia as I would like to meet you. I also hope you are feeling better and now have true friends. I think you are amazing I brought my son up on my own so I know how hard it is. I just saw the tv series and I thought your kindness was great. Hoping to meet you one day down under Florence
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Just watched SM and loved it, you know where you come from and dont forget it, that is what I love about you. There should me more people in the world like you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2010.
Ciao
February 18th, 2010 at 1:45 am
Hi Hillary
It was the first time that I saw your documenty where you travel to poorer parts of the country and I just want to say that you are very special and unlike many rich people who think money is their everything YOU are the first person I have come across who can prove that true happiness does not always come from money. May the LORD bless you aboundantly
April 9th, 2010 at 7:02 am
Running a small graphic design business we are always under pressure to deliver. I now understand what pressure is on reading information on Hilary and her hectic work schedule.
Growing up in Belfast in the 70s wasnt the best place to be, and with just my mum to look after me, it was very difficult. My mum put me though university and was the catalyst for my career. I can understand the hardship and complete determination Hilary must have had to get the company going.
Keep it going Hilary and continue to inspire us all.
Alan McNally, Belfast