West Sussex EuroMillions Winner Helps Create New Centre For Vulnerable Young Adults

(c) National Lottery

A West Sussex builder who won a life-changing £105 million on the National Lottery has used part of his fortune to fund a brand-new support centre for vulnerable young adults in Chichester.

Steve Thomson, from Selsey, scooped the EuroMillions jackpot in 2019 and promised to give back to the community that raised him.

On Friday, the 48-year-old officially opened a new permanent home for local charity Together Our Community (TOC).

“I knew exactly where I wanted to help after I won,” Steve said.

The father-of-three explained that families he knew were struggling to find safe, supportive places for their autistic children and young adults with learning difficulties.

“As soon as they turn 18, they are completely forgotten about unless they’re lucky enough to get a funded college place,” he continued.

“Parents are left isolated and often have to give up work to support their kids. It’s heartbreaking.”

TOC says Steve’s backing will transform the charity’s ability to help young adults with disabilities live, learn and work independently.

Steve first supported the charity by buying a second-hand minibus to help young people travel to work experience placements, volunteering sessions and day trips. But his involvement soon grew.

After spotting a neglected building in central Chichester, he purchased it and began restoring it — putting in time, effort and hands-on work to create the ideal headquarters for the charity.

Spread across three floors, the new centre now includes a sensory room, an open-plan classroom, and a training kitchen and café where young adults can learn cooking and hospitality skills.

Hilary Freeborough from TOC said:

“When Steve told us, ‘I’ve found the building for you’, we genuinely felt like we’d won the jackpot.

"The support he has given us is incredible — he didn’t just write a cheque.

"He has been here throughout, from planning the layout to making sure the circuit breakers were right and even sweeping the leaves.”

Fellow founder Louise Collins added:

“Steve is so humble, but we keep reminding him just how life-changing his commitment will be for so many young people.”

Despite his win, Steve still lives locally and can often be found catching up with friends at his village pub.

He says his desire to help others comes from childhood days spent volunteering with his dad, Peter, a local window cleaner.