£161m lottery couple to fund artist’s Italian academy dream

A couple who scooped the UK’s largest-ever lottery win have helped pay for a young artist to attend a prestigious academy in Italy.

• EuroMillions couple to pay for young artist to attend Florence Academy of Art

• Exact donation towards tuition fees and living expenses being kept private

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Lee Craigmile, 26, from Largs, Ayrshire, will spend the next three years developing his skills thanks to a sponsorship from Colin and Chris Weir.

The pair picked up more than £161 million on the lottery in July last year - the largest jackpot ever won in Europe.

Mr Craigmile had previously been training at a locally-run night class but will soon become a student at the Italian art school.

He hopes to become a recognised portrait artist and said it is his ambition to bring the academy’s disciplined style of teaching back to Scotland.

The artist, who launches his latest collection of work at an exhibition at Cosmic Soul in Largs next Friday, said he plans to thank the Weirs by presenting them with two of his most recent works.

“I am passionate about my art and studying in Florence means everything,” he said.

“The academic style that the academy teaches focuses on both drawing and painting: it is very strict about getting the fundamentals right.

“It works on your understanding of the human anatomy, understanding tone and using materials properly.

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“I can learn a great deal and I hope to be able to encourage this approach in other young artists when I return.

“I am really excited and can’t thank Chris and Colin enough for this opportunity.”

Mr and Mrs Weir, also from Largs, said: “Lee is an extremely talented artist and his enthusiasm is inspiring.

“When we heard that he needed sponsorship to secure his trip to the Florence Academy of Art, we were delighted to offer our support.

“What impresses us most is his ambition to bring back all he learns to help nurture other talent. We wish him every success.

At the time of their life-changing win, the Weirs said they were “tickled pink”.

Married for 30 years and with two children, the prize catapulted them into the Sunday Times Rich List above Beatle Ringo Starr and Sir Tom Jones.

Psychiatric nurse Mrs Weir, 55, and Mr Weir, 64, who worked as a TV cameraman and studio manager for 23 years, have reportedly bought a fleet of cars for friends since their win as well as a mansion.

Earlier this week, Adrian and Gillian Bayford from Suffolk become Britain’s second biggest Lottery winners, scooping £148.6 million, also on the EuroMillions.

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