It’s the National Lottery’s 25th birthday and in that quarter of a century more than £40billion has been raised for good causes – including £135million for Manchester’s heritage.

Since the first National Lottery draw on 19 November 1994, money from every ticket sold has been invested in good causes across the UK, in the areas of arts, sport, community and heritage.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund distributes funding to heritage projects.

In Manchester, money raised by National Lottery players has enabled some fantastic achievements for the city’s heritage, including rejuvenating green spaces for nature and communities, including Heaton Park, Whitworth Park and the city’s woodlands.

It had been involved in the restoration and redevelopments of historic buildings and museums including Gorton Monastery, Gaskell House, the Whitworth Gallery, Archives+ at Manchester Central Library and the National Football Museum as well as sharing countless community stories.

They included marking the bi-centenary of the Peterloo Massacre, recording the memories of Korean War veterans and capturing the voices of the LGBTQ+ community.

Some recently funded projects include exciting redevelopments of Band on the Wall, Manchester Museum and Manchester Jewish Museum

Since 1994, across the UK, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has invested £1.6billion in landscapes and nature, including more than £950m in public parks and cemeteries, and £900million in places of worship

£2.4billion has been given to more than 1,200 museums and galleries across the UK and 115million into community heritage

David Renwick, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It’s the National Lottery’s 25th birthday and a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the impact of National Lottery funding across the UK and in Manchester. From saving historic buildings and helping nature to thrive to celebrating our diverse cultures and shared stories, there is so much that quite simply would not be possible without National Lottery players.”

As a thank you, National Lottery funded sites across the UK are offering free entry or other special offers, between 23 November and 1 December. Take a look here to find your nearest offers. 

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