A BOURNEMOUTH roofer’s life has been ‘totally changed’ after winning £1m on a National Lottery scratchcard.

Jamie Heavens was 22-years-old and father to a nine-week-old son when he struck gold and won the cash in September 2016.

He said he was earning £100 a day as a roofer at the time and that the winnings changed his family’s lives, allowing him to achieve things ‘he only dreamt of’.

“I can remember the moment I won,” said Jamie.

“I was 22 years old with a baby boy who was just nine weeks old.

“Danielle and I were engaged and money was really tight so we couldn’t afford a wedding.

“I bought my National Lottery Scratchcard on the way to a roofing shift – and had to climb onto the roof to ring The National Lottery number and confirm I was a millionaire.”

The young couple were able to celebrate with a £25,000 wedding featuring National Lottery Scratchcard favours.

Soon, they moved into and renovated their family home before welcoming a daughter into the family in 2020.

Jamie splashed some of the money on his dream Mercedes car but said he spent more time driving a lorry after he started a breakdown business.

“Those early years after the win I worked really hard to build my business, I was determined that my lucky break would make a real difference to our future.

“Now, I’m seeing the return on that hard work, so much so that I’ve found time to take up fishing.”

To celebrate 30 years since National Lottery tickets first went on sale, celebrity photographer, Rankin hosted a photoshoot of millionaires from the last three decades.

Jamie: “I’m still playing The National Lottery because I now know that Dorset families, just like mine, can win, plus I’m also more aware than ever that playing generates funding for incredible projects right across the county.”

Since 1994, 572 people have become millionaires from the lottery in the south west and £49bn has been raised for projects and charities.

Rankin said: “I am extremely lucky that I get to meet and work with extraordinary people, from famous actors and models through to NHS nurses.

“I remember when The National Lottery first started and it was intriguing to meet the real winners and hear their stories and experiences.

“They are normal people who have had an extraordinary thing happen to them, transforming their lives.

“That is what we set out to capture.”