A builder who became a multi-millionaire after bagging a £105m Euromillions jackpot has told his customers he will their jobs for free - as an early Christmas present.
Steve Thomson, from Selsey, West Sussex, promised to go back to work in a bid to 'stay normal' after becoming the ninth-biggest UK winner in the history of the European Lottery last month.
But he has since refused to charge several clients for jobs he has completed since the huge win, instead letting customers keep the money to buy Christmas presents with.
The 42-year-old recently finished installing a conservatory for one of his neighbours in Selsey last week, but didn't charge her for the work.
'He didn’t charge. It shows he’s a top bloke, a decent man,' the neighbour, who did not want to be named, told the Sun.
'We didn’t ask him about the win because he’s probably had enough of talking about it. I think it’s quite nice for him to be able to work still because it takes his mind off the pressures of what to do with the money.'
The neighbour added that Steve was still using his old yellow work van, as 'he intends to complete outstanding jobs and stop working' so doesn't see the point of buying a new one.
Mr Thomson, who has been playing the lottery regularly for 25 years, promised to help the local community and told customers: 'Don't worry, I'll hold to it and get all my jobs done!'
His wife Lenka Thomson, who has three children with Steven, has already quit her job at a convenience store near their home in Selsey, West Sussex.
They plan to buy a new home so that their two sons aged 10 and 15, and their daughter, eight, can each have their own bedroom - making their living conditions, 'a bit more harmonious'.
Their 10-year-old son has already asked for a Tesla car, while their eight-year-old daughter has asked for a pink iPhone.
Mr Thomson told Mirror Online that the jackpot set him on an 'emotional rollercoaster' he described as 'very stressful' and leaving him struggling to sleep. He said that going back to work part-time was his way of coping with the situation.
'I feel normal and that’s how I want to stay,' he said. 'I’m trying to finish some jobs before Christmas.
'I won’t be able to finish all of them, but I’m doing what I can between meetings.'
This article has been adapted from its original source.
