The National Lottery hits £50 billion Good Causes landmark

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30 million is raised every week for Good Causes, funding over 700,000 projects across community, heritage, sport and the arts in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In addition to changing the face of communities throughout the nation, more than 7,400 millionaires have been created and over £95 billion paid out in prizes since the launch of The National Lottery in 1994.

To mark the 30-year anniversary and impact of £50bn in Good Causes funding, 30 Game Changing Moments have been immortalised in an exhibition by photographer Thomas Duke – unveiled at The National Portrait Gallery in London and online today. The photographer has used his unique style to highlight some of the most memorable cultural moments of the last three decades made possible with the help of National Lottery funding.

Thomas Duke is known for his project @steppingthroughfilm where iconic photographs are rephotographed within the context of their original location. He travelled the length and breadth of the UK to recreate the moments which recognise our success in sport, arts and film, preserving natural and built heritage and bringing communities together. Actors Michael Sheen and Vicky McClure, Olympian Jess Ennis and Lioness Chloe Kelly, are among several famous faces featured in the exhibition.

Andria Vidler, CEO of Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery said “Today marks a remarkable milestone as National Lottery players have now raised £50 billion for Good Causes across the UK. Over 30 years, this hasn’t just been about numbers – it's been about countless lives changed and communities transformed, while continuing to create millionaires nationwide. As we look forward, our plans to transform The National Lottery are underway and we're committed to raising even more for these vital Good Causes.”

Baroness Twycross, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "The National Lottery’s 30th birthday marks a remarkable legacy of building resilient, inclusive and healthier communities across the UK.

Over the last three decades it has funded hundreds of thousands of grassroots projects, getting more people involved in sport and cultural opportunities, as well as supporting our world class Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes. The National Lottery has raised a staggering £50 billion for good causes since it was established and has transformed numerous landmarks from the V&A Dundee and the Royal Albert Hall to the Angel of the North and the Eden Project.

"I am delighted to celebrate The National Lottery’s continued role in improving lives in every part of our country.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England and chair of the UK National Lottery Forum said: “The Game Changing Moments featured in the 30th Birthday exhibition launched today are the culmination of years of funding, commitment, training, belief, volunteering, tenacity and much, much more. The National Lottery’s impact on arts, film, heritage, sports, and communities across the UK is unparalleled. For three decades, it has empowered individuals and communities, enabling thousands of transformative projects. As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we look forward to building on this legacy, ensuring the arts and culture continue to flourish, and supporting even more Game Changing Moments for future generations.”

Vicky McClure, actor and founder of Our Dementia Choir commented: “It was a privilege to join The National Lottery for the launch of the Game Changing Moments exhibition and have my This is England ‘Moment’ featured in it. Each of the moments featured has a backstory and has had ripple effects, and that’s certainly true of mine. My journey as an actor started at Television Workshop and has led me to starting Our Dementia Choir. Support for both from The National Lottery has a game changing impact and means they can help more people and change more lives.”

Three decades of TNL funding has created an unparalleled legacy: powering athletic excellence, protecting cultural treasures, advancing artistic achievement and strengthening communities nationwide.

Since funding began in 1994, UK athletes have won more than 1,000 Olympic and Paralympic medals. The National Lottery has funded the making of more than 600 films which have won an incredible 551 awards, including 16 Oscars, 128 BAFTAs and 34 Cannes awards. Popular attractions and notable landmarks across the UK such as the Eden Project, the Giant’s Causeway, the Kelpies, the Angel of the North and Wembley have all received support from The National Lottery.

Running alongside these major initiatives are the hundreds of thousands of grants – usually for £10,000 or less – which help small projects to make an amazing difference in their areas.

For the last 30 years no one has done more to change the game in the UK than National Lottery players. But we are just getting started, could National Lottery funding fund your Game Changing Moment?

Find out more here.