Euromillions builder Steve Thomson today revealed how a family disability sparked an amazing act of kindness that saw him plough vast sums of his £105million Lotto win into a community project.
The white van man – who was said to have pined for his old life after bagging one of Britain's biggest ever payouts – initially bought a second-hand minibus for a disability charity. But Steve, 48, has now turned a derelict building into a base for a charity to support young adults with disabilities to live, learn and work.
Dad-of-three Steve – who promised customers he would finish their jobs for free after scooping the jackpot just before Christmas in 2019 – said: "My dad’s sister had severe Lumbar Scoliosis so I was raised to respect people with disabilities and to try and help where I can. When I was ten, my dad Peter started teaching disabled youngsters to swim every week. I was a good swimmer, so I’d go along to help, and this lasted a couple of years. Dad’s kindness sowed the seeds of what I’m doing now."
The new centre in Chichester, West Sussex, across three floors, has a boot room, a sensory room, an open-plan classroom and a training kitchen and café called Boardwalk Cafe. Founded with Hilary Freeborough and Louise Collins who run Together Our Community – TOC – the centre allows a chance for young people to learn how to cook and develop skills in hospitality.
Humble Steve, married to Slovakian wife Lenka, 47, initially told how the EuroMillions win made his life an “emotional rollercoaster” and said going back to work part-time was helping him cope. He bought a second-hand VW van with the Euromillions cash and initially stayed in his £150,000 three-bed terrace house in Selsey, West Sussex.
But after securing his family's future and buying a 14.5-acre sprawling estate in Kent with a swimming pool, tennis court and six bedrooms, Steve has now begun helping others. Steve said: "I knew exactly where I wanted to help after I won. A few friends have sons and daughters with autism and other learning difficulties, and there was nothing in the area for them to congregate safely, learn skills and make friends.
"As soon as they turn 18 they are completely forgotten about unless they’re lucky enough to get a funded place in college. Even so, parents are left totally isolated and often have to give up their own jobs to support their kids. It’s a real struggle and heart breaking to hear their stories."
He added: "During lockdown, I was introduced to Hilary and Louise. I started talking to them, and realised the scale of the problem. At first I helped TOC in a small way, buying a secondhand minibus to take the young people out for work experience with local businesses, volunteering activity and fun day-trips. It soon became apparent that what TOC really needed was a permanent centre, a place they could expand and help other young adults aged between 18 and 35, and that’s when I started to look for, and then buy, a building for them."
Hilary said: "We were church and community hall hopping using any location we could find. But what we really needed was a consistent base, somewhere visible to be able to make the biggest difference for the young people. When Steve said ‘I’ve found the building for you’ we genuinely felt like we had won the jackpot ourselves. The support Steve has given us is incredible, he didn’t just write a cheque he has been here throughout, from planning the layout to ensuring we had the right circuit breakers and the leaves were swept, he has been a tremendous hands-on supporter for us, and the young people."
Fellow TOC founder, Louise added: "Steve is so humble but we keep reminding him that his commitment to supporting us and the passion he has shown for TOC will be life changing for so many young people. This building is exactly what Hilary and I dreamt about when we were first set up TOC but never believed would be possible. We cherish it every day and we’re going to show Steve his trust in us was well placed. It’s now for TOC to make this work, so we’ll continue to fundraise and look for support to provide the high quality opportunities that our young people deserve.’
Steve said: "I’m going to invite Dad, who is now 76, along to Boardwalk Café, because I know he’ll be delighted too that I’ve done something to make a difference. I’ve met with the young people who will benefit from this new centre and from working in the café and I’ve found it deeply moving and humbling – and as life-affirming as it was back then."
Steve and Lenka were unveiled as the seventh-biggest British winners in the history of the EuroMillions draw in 2019 when they won £105,100,701.90. Steve said his first priority was a bigger house so none of the kids have to share a bedroom.
Prior to the win Steve ran a small conservatories and home improvement firm with longtime friend Neil Peet. Speaking at the time, he promised his customers he would not bail on them before Christmas but will continue working for "the time being".
Steve and Slovakian Lenka met when he worked at a Selsey seaside campsite and she was an overseas student. They wed around 20 years ago and Steve once worked as a dustman to make ends meet.
But the Euromillions win made the couple wealthier than singer Harry Styles and Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. Steve only realised he had scooped the jackpot on the Lottery's 25th anniversary draw three days after the draw.
Steve said: "I was a shaking, gibbering wreck. I walked round the living room a few times, I went out to my van, walked back in, thought about knocking on a neighbour's door, then went back to the van. I think I was on the verge of having a heart attack. I am not sure I even looked at the first two lines, the third one just jumped out and I could tell they all matched."
He rushed to see Lenka at the newsagents where she worked to double-check they had won. But then they both went back to work. Steve had unfortunately put his foot through a ceiling while insulating a loft, so he spent the morning repairing the damage.
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