Seven Heritage Game Changers celebrated with huge land-art installation as part of The National Lottery’s 30th Birthday

Created by globally renowned MTArt artist David Popa, known for creating huge ephemeral artworks made out of natural materials, the ‘Heritage Tree’ marks 30 years of The National Lottery, and was unveiled by actor and broadcaster, Sir Tony Robinson.

The vast artwork, measuring in at 5,400 square meters – Popa’s largest and most complex piece to date – commemorates the achievements of seven Game Changers, to recognise their extraordinary impact on heritage and conservation with the help of National Lottery players who raise £30 million every week for good causes.

The seven ‘Game Changers’ who inspired the artwork are:

• Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of The Eden Project. A visionary entrepreneur who transformed a reclaimed clay pit in Cornwall into a world-renowned ecological attraction to inspire people to reconnect with the natural world, and challenge how we view our role in it; visited by millions and contributing more than £2.2bn to the South West economy.

• Arthur Torrington CBE, co-founder of the Windrush Foundation. Arthur has travelled across the UK collecting the powerful narratives of the Windrush Generation to elevate the 'Empire Windrush' to an iconic status. Arthur’s commitment and work through the Foundation ensures the legacy of the Windrush Generation is remembered, inspiring future generations to appreciate and honour their history and contributions.

• Teresa Anderson MBE, Director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement. A British physicist championing science as a form of cultural heritage that tells a story about who we are, leading to Jodrell Bank being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019.

• Chantelle Lindsay, presenter, Project Officer with the London Wildlife Trust and advocate for diversity and inclusivity in wildlife. Passionate about breaking down barriers to nature for black people, and inspiring young people and ethnic minorities through initiatives like Kick The Dust, Keeping it Wild, Wildlife Watch videos and appearances on Springwatch and CBeebies' Teeny Tiny Creatures.
  
  
• Sandy Bremner, convener for the National Parks Authority. Leading transformative projects in an area bigger than Luxembourg, Sandy is currently overseeing The Cairngorms 2030 programme, the £10 million National Lottery funded initiative to transform the Cairngorms into the UK's first net zero national park.
  
  
• Lisa Power MBE, trailblazer for LGBTQIA+ rights and Pride Cymru volunteer. Prominent sexual health and LGBTQIA+ rights campaigner dubbed ‘the matriarch of LGBTQIA+ activism’, Lisa was the first openly LGBT person to speak at the United Nations. Lisa coordinated The National Lottery funded Icons and Allies Project project that unearths and honours trailblazing LGBTQIA+ figures and allies from across Wales, as well as supporting Fast Track Cymru, Pride Cymru and sitting on the Board of Queer Britain, the national LGBTQIA+ museum.
  
  
• Heidi McIlvenny, project leader for Ulster Wildlife's Sea Deep initiative until June 2022. Passionate about sharks since her first encounter as a professional PADI divemaster on a Honduran island, Heidi launched a first-of-its-kind shark-tagging programme in Northern Ireland and coordinated efforts to gather vital data about local sharks, skates and rays.

As one of the most popular faces on our TV screens for championing UK heritage and conservation, Sir Tony Robinson has joined The National Lottery in celebrating and congratulating the Game Changers and drew attention to the thousands of projects supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Sir Tony Robinson said: “Given the hugely important work of all seven, I am deeply honoured to support The National Lottery’s celebration of these extraordinary people. Across the spectrum of our heritage and conservation, the impact of the causes and projects championed by these Game Changers is evident - and the role The National Lottery has played in making this possible has been vital. I’m proud to help celebrate their 30th birthday in such a meaningful way."

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive officer, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Our heritage is incredibly diverse, from archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to sweeping landscapes and rare wildlife.

“At the root of each part of our heritage are people. People who believe in the value of heritage, who dedicate their lives to preserving and enriching it for all to enjoy, people who are game changers for heritage.

“The creation of a stunning ‘Heritage Tree’ installation at Whitby Abbey honours seven of those extraordinary Game Changers and beautifully symbolises the deep roots and ever-growing impact of each, reflecting our shared ambition to strengthen heritage. It’s thanks to players of The National Lottery over the last 30 years, and those to come, that our shared heritage will be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”

To mark the 30th anniversary of the first draw in 1994, The National Lottery is celebrating 30 inspirational people - Game Changers - who have achieved amazing things across the UK in the last 30 years, with the help of National Lottery funding.

The Game Changers were nominated by members of the public and selected by a panel composed of members of The National Lottery family and partners.

They were selected as examples of inspiring, tenacious and committed individuals who developed and delivered National Lottery funded projects to preserve heritage and enhance science and the environment.

National Lottery funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund helped them to make heritage stronger and more financially resilient, benefiting communities and economies throughout the UK.

28 Game Changers will be revealed in September and October at four installations which will focus on an area of National Lottery funding including, the arts & film, heritage, sport and community.

The final two Game Changers will be announced on The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash scheduled for broadcast on ITV on 31 December.

For 30 years, money raised by National Lottery players has helped fund thousands of projects that value, care for and sustain the UK's heritage for everyone.

Since 1994, more than £8.6bn has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support thousands of projects - like those of the Game Changers.

Between 1996 – 2000, English Heritage received more than £3.7m of National Lottery funding from The National Lottery Heritage fund for the restoration and protection of the natural beauty and historic character of Whitby Headland, including the conservation of the standing remains of the abbey.