National Lottery Celebratory Image unveiled at Falkirk Wheel!
Chloe Glen from youth charity Fixers has unveiled The National Lottery’s Celebratory Image which illustrates the different ways that Lottery funding has changed lives in Scotland.
The Celebratory Image, a giant artwork that depicts over 150 people from 50 Lottery-funded projects, was created to mark the 20th anniversary of The National Lottery. It showcases the variety of Lottery-funded projects including Chloe’s UK-wide charity Fixers and The Kelpies, which were built with £25 million of National Lottery funding.
The image will be on show at the Falkirk Wheel, a lottery-funded venue, until the end of the year before the artwork continues on its nationwide tour.
“National Lottery funding was fundamental to ensuring that The Helix went ahead. Without it, ourselves and Falkirk Council would never have been able to transform 350 hectares of derelict land into an eco park with two towering equine sculptures at its heart that have been embraced by local people and visitors alike.”
Fixers, like Chloe from Stirling, are young people using their past to fix the future. Chloe was chosen to feature in the Celebratory Image because she lit up people’s lives through a series of good gestures in Scotland. The inspiration for the campaign came from another Fixer, Stephen Sutton, who sadly died in 2014, aged 19, following a three-and-a half year battle with cancer.
Chloe was overjoyed to see herself in the finished image. She said: “The National Lottery’s Celebratory Image is not only a stunning artwork, but it also highlights the incredible work that the people behind the projects do on an epic scale. It was a real honour to be chosen to represent the work of Fixers. Without the vital support of Lottery players projects like mine might not have got off the ground.”
Jackie O’Sullivan, from the National Lottery, said: “National Lottery players have raised £2.7 billion for more than 55,000 projects in Scotland since it began in 1994. The Celebratory Image highlights the breadth and variety of funding available to people in Scotland.
“We are very excited to take the art piece on a tour of incredible Lottery-funded projects across the UK, including the Falkirk Wheel. Hopefully the art work will inspire the public to apply for Lottery funding.”
Josie Saunders, Head of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Canals, said: “National Lottery funding was fundamental to ensuring that The Helix went ahead. Without it, ourselves and Falkirk Council would never have been able to transform 350 hectares of derelict land into an eco park with two towering equine sculptures at its heart that have been embraced by local people and visitors alike.”