The National Lottery was launched in 1994, with 28p from every £1 spent on lottery tickets going to Good Causes. On average, £25 million a week has been raised over the past 13 years.
From the money raised over a quarter-of-a-million grants1 have been made to charitable groups, sporting and health initiatives, arts, film and heritage endeavours, environmental schemes and education programmes - as well as high profile landmark regeneration projects. This amounts to the biggest programme of civic and social regeneration since the 19th Century.
Carole Souter, Chair of the National Lottery Forum, says: “It can be difficult to imagine such huge sums of money, so it’s worth remembering that National Lottery players raise more money for good causes each month, than the average charity telethon raises in a year. We need people to keep playing so that even more good causes benefit.
“There’s been a lot of controversy recently about the Lottery being used to pay for the Olympics, and we’d like to reassure players that projects which have already been promised funding need not worry – their funds will be safe. Undoubtedly there will be fewer grants for Good Causes whilst funding is needed for the Olympics, but the Olympics themselves will have an impact across the UK and the aim is that they leave a lasting legacy which will also benefit future generations.”
