Lotto winner Gillian Bayford reduced the mother of an ill Angus four-year-old to tears when she delivered the keys to their dream home.
Gillian, who became the winner of Britain’s second biggest Lotto win when she and her husband scooped £148 million in 2012, has delighted the family of four-year-old Blake McMillan by purchasing them a new home on Carnoustie’s High Street.
The property, which Blake’s mum Jenny will rent from Gillian’s A&G Properties, will be adapted to make life easier for Blake, who suffers from a rare genetic syndrome.
The McMillans currently stay in Muirdrum, a short drive from Carnoustie.
The design of their current home as well as its location isn’t ideal for looking after Blake and his sister Faye, seven.
However, the family’s new open plan home is more adaptable and is located a short walk from Carnoustie beach.
Passionate fundraiser Jenny believes the move will give the whole family a new lease of life.
Big-hearted Gillian has also agreed to fund any necessary adaptations to the home — above work Angus Council will cover.
The kind gesture means any funds raised by Jenny can go directly towards research into Blake’s condition.
Speaking to The Courier, devoted mum Jenny said: “I was totally in awe that Gillian would do something like this.
“I’ll be paying rent but Gillian didn’t have to do something like this. She’s doing me a massive favour.
“I was in tears when she told me. I’m so grateful.
“I’ll be able to look after Blake in a safe and secure environment and it means the world.
“In this house I can always be within eye shot of Blake. Gillian has given me peace of mind.”
Gillian decided to help the family after being inspired by Jenny’s fundraising and campaigning.
Jenny runs fundraising store, Blake’s Bargains, two doors along from Gillian’s property business and the Lotto winner has come to admire the campaigning mum for the work she does.
Gillian revealed: “Jenny came in and said she was looking for a house in the area and I said I’d keep an eye out for anything that came up.
“A couple of weeks later it came to light that a house on the high street was going back on the market.
“A&G Properties has offered, and she’s kindly accepted, that we will pay for the balance of the upgrade and work that needs to be carried out as a Christmas present, I suppose, to Blake.
“It then allows any money Jenny has fundraised to go to finding a treatment.
“Jenny is a complete inspiration. She works so hard and if the fact that I, and the girls here, can help bring Blake here then we’ll do it.”
Gillian continued: “Everyone in Carnoustie knows Blake. I think this will perk everyone in the town up.
“I contribute to a lot of children’s charities, however it’s nice to be doing something back in my home town. It’s such a wonderful cause.”
The family hope to be able to move into their new home in January.
To support Jenny’s efforts and to donate to charity Reverse Rett, the only UK organisation fundraising for research into Blake’s condition, click here.
