Giant sandcastle celebrates £1.6Billion for good causes in Northern Ireland
It’s hard to say exactly how many grains of sand are on a beach. But a giant sandcastle built on Portstewart Strand in Northern Ireland celebrates some very special numbers indeed: the £1.6Billion of National Lottery funding given to more than 35,000 charities and community projects since the first draw was held in 1994.
The Fingers Crossed sand sculpture – which is seven feet tall – is part of a National Lottery campaign to celebrate the hope and optimism provided by Good Causes. From grassroots sport, heritage projects and arts initiatives, to vital health and wellbeing services, National Lottery funding has made a significant difference to the lives of people across Northern Ireland.
Portstewart Strand, a National Trust beach, is an appropriate place to celebrate the £1.6Billion milestone. The beach has been made accessible by the Mae Murray Foundation, one of the 35,000 projects in Northern Ireland supported by National Lottery funding. The Larne-based charity is dedicated to creating inclusive environments for people with all abilities, including beach access.
Kyleigh Lough, the Mae Murray Foundation’s chief executive officer, said, “This funding has been truly life changing. Many of our members have never been able to access the beach or experience the joy of the seaside until now. Thanks to the National Lottery, we’re creating more inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.”
Maurice Bradley, the MLA for East Londonderry, added, “National Lottery funding has been transformational for countless groups and organisations across Northern Ireland. In my own constituency, I’ve seen first-hand how these grants empower local people and help to build and enhance lives.
“£1.6Billion is a remarkable achievement and a clear sign of the positive legacy that The National Lottery continues to provide.”
Belfast City Council was the recipient of one of the first National Lottery grants awarded in Northern Ireland in 1995. It used £195,000 of funding to construct a pavilion at the city’s Mary Peters Athletics Track. Rower Hannah Scott, who won gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has also benefitted from National Lottery funding.
Some of the largest grants ever awarded in Northern Ireland helped create the Odyssey Trust (an entertainment and educational complex) and the SSE arena. The Ulster Folk Museum was awarded £10Million and Dolans Social Farm in Fermanagh – one of the most westerly grants ever awarded in the UK – received £178,000 to support its educational program.
Other notable National Lottery funded projects in the region include the Millenium Forum in Derry; the Rural Community Network NI which provides community-based support and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
The National Lottery’s Gillian Taylor said, “We’re thrilled to celebrate this major milestone which reflects over three decades of support for Northern Ireland. None of this would be possible without National Lottery players – it’s because of them that more than 35,000 good causes across Northern Ireland have benefitted.
“Today’s celebration and the Fingers Crossed sand sculpture, symbolise everything The National Lottery stands for – hope, positivity and making a real difference to people’s lives in communities in every corner of Northern Ireland. We’re proud to support organisations like the Mae Murray Foundation, who show the difference this support makes to lives every day.”
The Fingers Crossed installations are appearing across the UK in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales over the summer as a poignant symbol and celebration of hope and positivity.
22nd August 2025
The National Lottery has been changing the lives of winners and supporting good causes across the UK since 1994. In that time, there have been more than 7,400 new millionaires created and by playing The National Lottery you raise over £4 million for Good Causes every dayΔ.
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