'Salary doesn't matter!' National Lottery winner makes 'dream' career switch after claiming mega jackpot aged 21

The lucky winner has since swapped block paving for snow slopes, becoming a qualified ski instructor at his local SnowDome.

"Being a ski instructor was always my plan later in life but when I won Set For Life I thought, why not right now?" said Evans.

The career change reflects a broader trend, with National Lottery research showing seven per cent of people would retrain in a new career if given the opportunity.

Despite his life-changing win, Evans remained remarkably composed during his initial contact with lottery officials.

"Apparently, I was the most chilled winner who had ever rung the National Lottery line but in truth I was in shock - it hadn't sunk in," he said.

He broke the news to friends via a Zoom call, prompting many in his circle to start buying lottery tickets themselves.

The windfall has enabled Evans to secure his first home, complete with a hot tub, and pay off his car.

Family support has been a priority for the winner, who helped his sister purchase a new car and supported his brother in launching a business.

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"My family is massively important to me, so I've paid for my mum and dad to come skiing in Austria with me," Evans said.

He continues to assist his father's landscaping business, stating: "I will always put him first and will continue to do so until he retires."

Evans has made significant contributions to Canine Partners, a charity where he helped renovate a bungalow for wheelchair users with assistance dogs.

His most notable project was creating a memorial garden for deceased assistance dogs, drawing on his landscaping expertise.

"When they showed me a film with the dogs helping their owners, I was so moved that I cried twice," Evans revealed.

The project took under two weeks to complete, involving ground clearance, structural work and concrete paths.

"I met a couple of wheelchair users and their dogs who said what a difference it had made to them, having somewhere they could come to reflect," he said.

The experience proved deeply meaningful for Evans, who reflected: "By helping others, I feel like I'm passing on some of my luck."

Evans now teaches skiing to a diverse range of students at his local SnowDome, from four-year-olds to septuagenarians.

"What I love most about being a ski instructor is being able to help someone achieve something - seeing their face when they have done it is so rewarding," he said.

His passion for skiing stems from family holidays, and he tries to hit the slopes several times annually.

"I am definitely more of a mountain than a beach person - I love the slopes," Evans explained.

Having passed his level one instructor exam last year, he now has bigger ambitions.

"My dream would be to take the full training course and teach abroad. It isn't about the salary, it's all about the experience for me and it really would be living the dream," he said.

Looking ahead, Evans remains enthusiastic about his monthly windfall from the Set For Life win.

"Getting that money in my account every month will never get old, and I still have 310 more payments to come!" he said.

The win came from a single Lucky Dip ticket, making his story even more remarkable.

"I really wasn't playing the lottery much before winning - just every now and then. And all it took was one Lucky Dip line to change it all," Evans reflected.

His experience mirrors the aspirations of many Britons, with National Lottery research showing 76 per cent dream of travelling and 21 per cent wish to learn new skills or work abroad.

The win has given Evans a new sense of freedom. "Winning Set For Life feels like a weight has lifted off my shoulders," he said.