20 years on from the first National Lottery draw, two of Scotland’s ‘National Treasures’ came together today (18 November 2014) to celebrate its life changing impact. Sir Chris Hoy and the Kelpies in Falkirk were both chosen by the Scottish public as ‘National Treasures’ as part of a poll to mark The National Lottery’s 20th year.
Britain’s greatest ever Olympian was joined at Scotland’s newest cultural landmark by representatives from some of the projects that have benefitted from National Lottery funding over the past 20 years. In Scotland alone over £2.6 billion has been awarded to arts, education, environment, health, heritage, sport and voluntary projects.
From the largest grant of £36.2 million awarded to Glasgow Science Centre, to the smallest of £36 Home-Start Orkney, a voluntary home visiting scheme, everyone has made a difference to the charities and organisations that have benefited.
The National Lottery has also had a lasting legacy for thousands of Scots who have scooped prizes over the past 20 years. 305 millionaires have been created in Scotland and 2,613 people have won prizes of more than £50,000.
In terms of making millionaire dreams come true, Scotland is top of the pile - Dumfries has a lottery millionaire for every 8,288 of adult population, the highest concentration in the UK.
Sir Chris, who credits National Lottery funding with helping him achieve his Olympic dream, comments, “The National Lottery has transformed the way sport is funded in the UK over the last 20 years. Thanks to National Lottery players, athletes have a chance to train and compete on a level playing field with other nations around the world, and it’s made a huge difference to the success of the British Team. At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, we won one gold medal but at London 2012 Team GB won 29.
“Personally, National Lottery funding changed my life. It gave me the opportunity to focus on cycling full time, as well as access to the best coaches, facilities and training camps.”
Speaking on behalf of the National Lottery in Scotland, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said, “20 years is a milestone to celebrate and thank National Lottery players from Scotland for their contribution to the many life changing projects that have been made possible across the length and breadth of the country.
“It’s amazing to realise that almost any museum, art gallery, theatre or sports centre people visit has benefitted from National Lottery money. It doesn’t just transform the lives of lucky winners, it also supports local communities and thousands of charities. National Lottery players should be really proud of the positive changes they have helped bring about since the first draw in 1994.”
Councillor Adrian Mahoney, Falkirk Council’s tourism spokesman, said: “I’m delighted the Kelpies have been named a Scottish national treasure. These amazing, iconic structures have captured the imagination of people around the world, drawing hordes of people to the Helix Park. Visitors numbers have already exceeded expectations for this year and we’re looking forward with confidence to 2015.”
