The National Lottery Awards search annually to find the UK’s favourite lottery funded project, highlighting all the great projects that they have funded over the years that have changing our country for the better. Now in its 11th year, the awards are all about recognising lotto funded projects that have made a difference to local communities and the dedication of all the staff, visitors and volunteers that make them happen.
There are several different categories of winners and The Helix is a finalist for The Best Environmental Project, so now we need your help – vote for us!
The Helix has transformed 350 hectares of landscape between Falkirk and Grangemouth into a thriving environmental space for the whole community to enjoy. Here is just some of the achievements The Helix has had to date:
- Improved woodlands and 27 km’s of new and improved walking and cycling paths, connecting access across 16 different communities to The Helix and wider Falkirk area.
- A new canal link and hub, forming a gateway to the Scottish Lowland Canals, adding new navigation for those travelling by canal boat into Falkirk and the wider Scotland.
- The Helix has created multiple full time job opportunities, vast numbers of volunteer opportunities and numerous contracts and business opportunities for local trades and suppliers.
- The Helix has given the tools for vast amounts of different community projects from a new beekeeping society, gardening groups, walking clubs and many more.
- So far we have be able to create 25 direct training placements for volunteers in woodland management to help us take care of our local area and conserve the native wildlife and fauna.
- This is all on top of creating a new park land, enhancing Falkirk districts portfolio of recreational spaces, complete with play areas, catering facilities, and the area’s very first purpose build outdoor water sports lagoon.
- And not forgetting The Kelpies! The world’s largest equine sculptures and public art works guarding the new canal hub, The Kelpies have become an instant visitor attraction for the local area. With worldwide media coverage including multiple television documentaries, 15,000 paying tour guests and 150,000 visitors in their first 2 months of opening - The Kelpies have fast became the new cultural landmark for Scotland, putting Grangemouth and Falkirk on the tourism map.