Over £4.1billion distributed to help National Lottery Good Causes projects in Scotland
OPERATOR of the National Lottery Allwyn has praised the hard work of retailers across Scotland in supporting the National Lottery Good Causes fund.
National Lottery retailers were invited to a breakfast at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh as Justin King, retailer and chair of Allwyn, gave thanks to these operators who had played their part in raising money for the Good Causes fund over the past 30 years.
The National Lottery has managed to distribute over £4.1billion to more than 81,000 projects across Scotland since 1994 – including at the National Museum of Scotland which has benefited from some £38million of National Lottery funding.
King said: “We’re here today to celebrate business in Scotland and the independent shopkeepers who are such an important part of our high streets.
“Retail is at the heart of our plans to transform The National Lottery over the next 10 years and, with over 4,800 retailers selling The National Lottery in Scotland, we’re grateful for their ongoing support.”
King was joined by Alison Acquaye-Acford, director of commercial partnerships and retail sales at Allwyn, and Pete Cheema, chief executive at the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, for the event to mark Scottish retailers’ hard work from over the past 30 years.
Baillieston retailers Natalie and Martin Lightfoot were also in attendance to mark their own support of The National Lottery and to celebrate their win at Allwyn’s first ever Local Retail Champions. The pair were awarded £20,000 Social Value store makeover for their shop Londis Solo Baillieston which kicked off at the start of May.
This money raised by store owners has helped to contribute to massive projects across Scotland including £43million to the Kelpies and Helix in Falkirk, £15million donated to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and £19.1million in funding for the V&A Dundee Scotland.
And this good work is set to continue, King said, with plans to tell “The National Lottery story better” and highlight the role that buying a ticket plays in funding local Good Cause projects.
King said: “Among all the other positive things retailers to for our local areas, I’d also like to thanks them for the role they play in raising money for National Lottery Good Causes by selling tickets.
“They help make projects like the Kelpies and the V&A Scotland possible, as well as countless grassroots projects that make local communities in Scotland better.”
Pete Cheema said: “It’s remarkable to reflect on the past three decades and all our fantastic achievements, working hand in hand to deliver for our communities.
“Together, The National Lottery and convenience retailers across Scotland help provide a ‘full basket’ for their customers and offer the opportunity for shoppers to give a little back to Good Causes, support their local store, and potentially win big.
“I am very proud of the role the Scottish convenience sector has played in supporting that, and it is exciting to see what the future holds for the National Lottery.”
