National Lottery funding woven into the fabric of sport

A True Scotsman – elite swimmer, Robbie Renwick – has highlighted the support of National Lottery funding to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games by sporting a rather unique new kilt.

Donning a bespoke kilt, handmade from over 1,300 Lotto tickets, the Glasgow-based swimmer wanted to thank National Lottery players for their contribution in helping him prepare for next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Robbie is one of 1,300 elite athletes in the UK to receive National Lottery support, which helps them train to the highest of international standards. Robbie said: “National Lottery funding has helped me get where I am today as a swimmer and everyone who plays the National Lottery should be really proud of the difference they are making to athletes like me.

“Hopefully this kilt of 1,300 Lotto tickets will bring me some extra luck at the Commonwealth Games next year.”

The National Lottery has invested in a number of the Games’ venues such as Hampden Park and the Emirates Arena, key attractions including the Kelvingrove and Riverside Museums, as well as supporting volunteers and funding cultural and community initiatives inspired by the Games.

Vicki Kennedy, a spokesperson for the National Lottery, said: “Along with supporting our athletes, money raised by National Lottery players has built and refurbished world-class sporting venues and tourist attractions, making Glasgow a wonderful and proud host city.“We think the Lottery ticket kilt is a fun way to visually represent the National Lottery’s investment in the very fabric of Scotland, sport and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.”

Created by textile artist, Malcolm Cruickshank, the distinctive National Lottery ticket kilt took over used over 4,000 metres of thread and 60 hours of hard work to make in his Edinburgh studio. Malcolm said: "Making something as big as a kilt would be challenging for most people but creating one by stitching individual Lottery tickets was another matter altogether. I'm passionate about creating imaginative and decorative works out of unusual materials, so this was a really interesting project that I have enjoyed working on.”