Colchester's iconic Jumbo water tower opened its doors on March 28, 2025, for a free event aimed at thanking National Lottery players. This initiative was part of the National Lottery Open Week, a celebration of the millions of pounds raised each week for good causes across the UK. The Jumbo Project, which has received a generous £8 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, welcomed anyone holding a National Lottery ticket for a complimentary tour of the water tower.
The National Lottery Open Week, which runs until March 23, encourages people to indulge in simple pleasures this spring. Hundreds of National Lottery-funded venues throughout the UK are offering free entry, discounts, and special offers during this period. The Jumbo Project aims to conserve and adapt the historic water tower into a visitor attraction, making it commercially viable and accessible as a heritage and events venue.
Dozens of visitors took advantage of the Open Week offer to sneak a peek inside the Victorian water tower before it closes for renovations. Among them was John Allen, an enthusiastic 84-year-old who will celebrate his 85th birthday in July. Eager to be the first in line for a tour, Allen exclaimed, "I had a brilliant time up the tower. I have been waiting for years to do it." His excitement reflects the sentiments of many who cherish the opportunity to explore local history.
The Jumbo Project has also garnered support from UK Government funding and Colchester Council. Darren Henley, the chief executive of Arts Council England and chair of the National Lottery Forum, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, "We are excited to bring back National Lottery Open Week 2025. Life’s pace often pushes us to say ‘no’ to things we want to do, prioritising instead the things we think we ‘should do’. National Lottery Open Week is a chance to say ‘yes’ to joyful experiences - exploring the UK’s rich history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture through free and low-cost days out.”
Henley further highlighted the impact of National Lottery players, noting that they raise an impressive £30 million every week for good causes, which supports vital projects in arts, sports, heritage, and communities nationwide.
In a related note, the excitement surrounding the National Lottery extends beyond local events. On the same day, the EuroMillions jackpot was estimated at a staggering £202 million, marking the largest jackpot in the history of the game. The Thunderball draw was also scheduled for March 28, with a top prize of £500,000 up for grabs. As ticket sales for this record draw closed, many players were hopeful about the life-changing potential of winning such an amount.
The odds of winning the EuroMillions jackpot, which requires matching five numbers and two lucky stars, are 1 in 139,838,160. This daunting statistic does not deter players, as many are drawn to the dream of what they could do with such a fortune. The current record for the EuroMillions was previously held by an anonymous UK player who won £195 million in July 2022. Other notable wins include Joe and Jess Thwaite from Gloucester, who claimed £184,262,899 with a Lucky Dip ticket in May 2022, and another anonymous player who won £177 million on November 26, 2024.
In a more personal story of luck, Darren Burfitt from Swansea recently discovered that he was a EuroMillions millionaire after leaving his winning ticket in his unlocked car for four months. Friends had urged the 44-year-old to check the tickets piling up in his car’s central console after an appeal was made to find a missing millionaire from the October 18, 2024, draw. It wasn't until he searched for a snack that he decided to scan his tickets using The National Lottery app.
To his astonishment, one ticket revealed a £3.60 prize, while another had won him £1 million. Burfitt recalled his disbelief, saying, "I couldn’t quite believe it when I did …. I still cannot believe it now. I just kept looking at the date and then the matching EuroMillions Millionaire Maker code. I just could not comprehend what I was seeing!" His excitement turned to concern as he realized anyone could have taken his winning ticket during those months.
When he shared the news with his wife, Gemma, she initially worried something had happened to their children due to his shaky voice. The couple, who have a six-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son, now have plans to buy their first home together. Burfitt also dreams of purchasing a new pickup truck to replace his aging Citroen, which he humorously described as "a shed on wheels held together with mud." He envisions family adventures made easier with a new vehicle.
Gemma shared in the excitement, stating, "I just could never imagine having this much money – it is an unreal feeling. I have to keep pinching myself, it feels like a dream which I will wake up from!" The couple, who enjoy caravan holidays, now see their lives taking an extraordinary turn thanks to their newfound wealth.
Since its inception in 1994, The National Lottery has transformed the lives of winners and supported countless good causes throughout the UK. Over 7,400 new millionaires have been created, and by participating in The National Lottery, players contribute more than £4 million daily to various charitable initiatives.
As the National Lottery Open Week continues, the excitement surrounding the Jumbo water tower and the EuroMillions jackpot serves as a reminder of the joy and opportunity that come from participating in these games, whether it's through local heritage projects or life-changing lottery wins.
