SCOTLAND: Since the first National Lottery draw in 1994, more than £4.1 billion has been awarded to over 80,000 local good causes
MSPs hear how funding from the lottery has had a significant impact on arts, community, heritage and sporting sectors
A host of National Lottery backed projects came together to celebrate three decades of game changing funding in Scotland.
Since the first National Lottery draw in 1994, more than £4.1 billion has been awarded to over 80,000 local good causes, helping to improve lives, transform communities and promote positive change.
At an event held in the Scottish Parliament, MSPs met a wide range of organisations from grassroots community groups to large-scale institutions, all of whom have benefited from vital support provided by The National Lottery.
They heard how funding from the lottery has had a significant impact on arts, community, heritage and sporting sectors.
Among those in attendance were representatives from:
- V&A Dundee - Scotland’s design museum and the only V&A museum outside of London. It brings design from all over the world to Scotland and gives a new platform to Scottish designers.
- Golden Friendships - Set up in 2017, the charity operates from a vibrant and welcoming space in Clydebank, bringing people together for a wide range of inclusive activities.
- Destination Tweed - a multi-partner collaboration led by the Tweed Forum which aims to celebrate and share the nature, history and stories of the River Tweed while delivering economic, environmental, and social benefits to the South of Scotland and North Northumberland.
- Orkney 2025 - The Orkney 2025 International Island Games will take place from 12-18 July 2025. This week-long event will see athletes from up to 24 island groups from across the world compete in 12 sports.
- Other projects being represented on the night were WHALE Arts, Letham4All, Citizens Theatre (Glasgow) and Ravenscraig Regions Sport Facility.
Also present were the Scotland directors and chairs of The National Lottery distributors, Creative Scotland, The National Lottery Community Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and sportscotland, as well as representatives from the operator Allwyn, National Lottery retailers and winners.
Event sponsor and MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, Bill Kidd, said: “The impact The National Lottery has had over the past thirty years across the length and breadth of Scotland has been truly phenomenal.
“Countless inspirational and life changing stories that, really show us the enduring strengths of our local communities and what they can do, if given half the chance.
“So, as we look back over the past thirty years; let’s also look to the next thirty to ensure that we continue to give everyone their chance.”
Justin King CBE, chair of Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery said: “We’re celebrating £4.1bn of funding supporting good causes across Scotland - all thanks to National Lottery players.
“It isn’t just about the big numbers, or your own lucky numbers – it's the countless lives changed and communities transformed, as well as the millionaires made. In addition to Good Cause beneficiaries, we have over 4,800 National Lottery retail partners across Scotland acting as the public face of The National Lottery. Raising vital funds by selling National Lottery tickets and earning, on average thousands of pounds every year in sales commission, we're committed to supporting them for many years to come.
“As we look forward, our plans to transform The National Lottery are underway and we’re fully committed to building on this success story.”
Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30 million is raised every week for good causes in the UK.
Thirty years of National Lottery funding has created an unparalleled legacy in Scotland: powering sporting excellence, protecting cultural treasures, advancing artistic achievement and strengthening communities across the country.
Kate Still, chair of the Scotland National Lottery Forum and Scotland chair at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “The National Lottery has been a game changer for Scotland. Its impact on arts, film, heritage, sports, and communities across Scotland 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 and supporting even more game changing moments for future generations.”
https://tfn.scot/news/national-lottery-celebrates-30-years-of-game-changing-charity-funding-in-scotland#:~:text=A%20host%20of%20National%20Lottery,communities%20and%20promote%20positive%20change.