A mum who struggled to afford Christmas presents for her son has told how a £1million lottery win has completely changed her family’s lives.
Karen Dakin, 54, had to ask her parents for cash after husband Jeff, 60, suffered a stroke at the hospital he works at.
She said: “We had always struggled, so my dad gave us money that Christmas to help with Callum’s presents.”
But the March 13 win has allowed the playground supervisor to give up work and provided a stable future for son Callum, 15.
The Dakins are also enjoying more space after swapping their cramped two-bed rental for a five-bed bungalow, in Kesgrave, Suffolk.
They say their entire previous home would fit in just two of their new rooms. Karen said: “When we moved in, Jeff and I had a little cry.”
Now the family are planning their first ever foreign holiday.
“Callum has never been on a plane,” said Karen. “So we’ll take him to Portugal, then one day Disneyland.
“My life now is about creating memories for Callum – even if I still go shopping for bargains.”
