LOTTERY millionaires got their hands dirty by giving up their free time to give a children’s charity a makeover.

A group of National Lottery winners, worth a combined £20 million grabbed gardening gloves and paint brushes to help transform Barnardo’s in Gateshead.

The base offers support and advice to dozens of children from across the region, giving them a safe place to socialise with their peers.

The makeover included new furniture and accessories, as well as space mural on one of the ceilings.

The well-heeled volunteers also ensured herb and sensory garden was put in place, and a ‘confidence tree’ has been painted on one of the meeting rooms to help children get through difficult periods.

Darlington couple Paul and Sue Watson scooped up a whopping £1.1m in February 2007, and despite still running their own fruit and veg shop in Cockerton, found the time to give something back to the centre.

“It’s been great” said Paul. “We’ve really enjoyed it and it’s great to give something back.

“We were laughing this morning. We’re out here watering plants and I’m paying people to do it for me back at my shop.

“We’ve had to bring staff in to cover for us today.

Sue added: “We’ve done a lot today. Even painted the walls outside which we weren’t meant to do but they needed doing”.

Among the other winners pitching in were Mark and Cheryl Brudenell, from Stockton, who won £1m in February 1997; Elaine and Derek Thompson, from Newcastle, who won £2.7m in 1995; Michael and Norma Eggleston, from Sunderland, who won £2.7m in 2007; Mark and Julie Weir, from Darlington, who won £2.7m in May 2008 and Andy Garth, from Middlesbrough, who scooped £1m on Christmas Day in 2012.

Rachel Chard, Children’s Service Manager at Barnardo’s Gateshead, said: “We went to our young people and our parents and asked for their ideas.

“It’s just so nice seeing it being put into place and it’s better than we could have ever imagined it to be.

“The kids have been a bit shy today but I know they’ve had a sneak peak and they think it’s amazing.”

The youngsters appreciated the help from the millionaires.

Amy Lowes, 20, said: “This is something which will really help me and lots of other young people too.

“We will be able to see how one day we may be feeling like we are at the bottom of the tree but with the help and support of everyone in the centre, we slowly climb to the top”.

Barnardo’s in Newcastle and Gateshead previously benefited from £1.6m of National Lottery funding through The Big Lottery Fund.