The National Lottery has been a game-changer in the UK, celebrating its 30th birthday and the impact of over £50 billion in funding for Good Causes. Every week, more than £30 million is raised for projects in community, heritage, sport, and the arts, thanks to National Lottery players. This funding has supported over 700,000 projects across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Not only has the National Lottery transformed communities, but it has also created more than 7,400 millionaires and paid out over £95 billion in prizes since its launch in 1994. To commemorate this milestone, an exhibition showcasing 30 Game Changing Moments has been unveiled by photographer Thomas Duke at The National Portrait Gallery in London and online.
Duke’s unique style captures iconic cultural moments made possible by National Lottery funding over the last three decades. He has rephotographed these moments within their original locations, highlighting the success in sport, arts, and film, as well as the preservation of natural and built heritage that the funding has enabled. The exhibition features famous faces such as Michael Sheen, Vicky McClure, Jess Ennis, and Chloe Kelly.
Andria Vidler, CEO of Allwyn, the operator of The National Lottery, expressed pride in reaching the milestone of £50 billion raised for Good Causes. This funding has had a significant impact on the UK, changing lives, transforming communities, and creating millionaires nationwide. The National Lottery’s plans to continue raising funds for vital causes are underway, ensuring a lasting legacy of support for athletic excellence, cultural treasures, artistic achievement, and community development.
Since its inception in 1994, the National Lottery has funded over 1,000 Olympic and Paralympic medals for UK athletes and supported the making of more than 600 award-winning films. Landmarks like the Eden Project, the Giant’s Causeway, and the Angel of the North have all received support from the National Lottery, alongside numerous smaller projects that make a difference in their communities.
The exhibition of 30 Game Changing Moments showcases iconic events such as the opening of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the unveiling of the Angel of The North, and the release of films like “Bend It Like Beckham” and “The King’s Speech.” These moments highlight the diverse cultural impact of National Lottery funding across the UK.
As the National Lottery looks to the future, it remains committed to supporting Good Causes and making a positive difference in communities nationwide. The legacy of the National Lottery’s funding over the past 30 years is a testament to the power of investing in sport, arts, heritage, and community projects that enrich the lives of people across the UK.
