National Lottery players raise £40 Billion for Good Causes
4th June 2019
New figures reveal that more than £40 billion of National Lottery funding has been raised for good causes across the UK, since The National Lottery began almost 25 years ago in 1994.
As The National Lottery celebrates 25 years of changing lives, the Chair of The National Lottery Family Forum, Dawn Austwick, has hailed how National Lottery players have helped to transform the lives of ordinary people across the UK over the past quarter of a century:
“I am delighted that since its launch 25 years ago, The National Lottery has raised an incredible £40 billion for good causes.
“National Lottery players should feel proud of the difference they’ve made to communities across the UK. This money changes lives.
“It strengthens our communities, powers our sports teams, protects the environment, unleashes creative talent and enhances quality of life for people across the whole country.
“It’s all down to local people who choose to do amazing things with National Lottery funding. Grants have been awarded to 565,000 individual projects – that’s the equivalent of 200 life-changing projects in every UK postcode district.”
Mims Davies, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, said:
“This is a monumental milestone for the National Lottery in its 25th year. Since its first draw in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £40 billion for good causes, helping people and strengthening communities right across the UK.
“From projects that care for the elderly or increase opportunities for young people, to funding that has transformed Britain into an Olympic and Paralympic powerhouse - the enormous benefits of The National Lottery continue to be felt far and wide.”
Neil McArthur, CEO, Gambling Commission says:
“This is an incredible achievement - National Lottery players have now raised £40 billion for good causes across the UK since it was launched in 1994.
"Ensuring that returns to good causes are maximised is a priority for us as regulator. This will remain a priority as we look to the future and at how technology and innovation can ensure that the success of the National Lottery continues in the years ahead.”
The 25th Birthday milestone highlights the extraordinary difference National Lottery-funded good causes have made to the UK over the last 25 years and looks ahead to what can be achieved over the next 25 years.
To thank National Lottery players for making these achievements possible and to celebrate the massive difference The National Lottery has made – and continues to make – The National Lottery is working on a range of plans in the run-up to the 25th Birthday on 19 November 2019.
Ends.
For further information, please contact:
Elle Rigby – elle.rigby@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk / 0207 211 3927
Notes to editors
- Notes to editors:
Pictured: Alan Thompson, 39, from The National Lottery-funded Superstars café in Cookstown, Northern Ireland. The café is a social enterprise that offers skills training for people with learning disabilities. Find out more about the project here: http://www.superstarsclub.org.uk/
Please get in touch if you would like to hear more about Alan’s story.