Our Heritage heroes inspire a ‘tree-mendous’ artwork

The ‘Heritage Tree’, which is the size of four Olympic swimming pools, was unveiled by the actor and broadcaster Sir Tony Robinson. It celebrates the extraordinary achievements of seven Heritage Game Changers, including the founders of the Eden Project and the Windrush Foundation, who have done incredible things with the help of National Lottery funding.

The installation is the work of David Popa, a globally renowned land artist who used natural pigments to create a design that shows the Game Changer’s hands holding the roots of a tree. The Heritage Tree honours seven inspirational people who have changed the game in terms of heritage, land and nature over the past three decades.

Sir Tony said, “Given the hugely important work of all seven Game Changers, I am deeply honoured to support The National Lottery’s celebration of these extraordinary people. Across the spectrum of our heritage and conservation, the impact of the causes and projects championed by these Game Changers is evident – and the role The National Lottery has played in making this possible has been vital. I’m proud to help celebrate their 30th birthday in such a meaningful way.”

The unveiling of the Heritage Tree is one of four activities taking place across the UK to mark The National Lottery’s 30th birthday on 19th November 2024. All of our Game Changers were nominated by members of the public and selected by a panel composed of members of The National Lottery family and partners.

The seven inspirational people who inspired The Heritage Tree artwork are:

Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of The Eden Project.

The Eden Project, a Cornish landmark, was brought to life with the support of £37.5MMillion of National Lottery funding. Tim said, “Thanks to the support of The National Lottery we’ve built something that celebrates the beauty and importance of plants, but also a place that challenges people to think differently about their role in the world. Seeing the impact Eden has had on visitors from all walks of life is a reminder of what can be achieved when imagination and determination are met with the right support.”

Arthur Torrington CBE, co-founder of the Windrush Foundation.

This passionate community advocate has dedicated his life to preserving the legacy of the Windrush Generation. In 1995, alongside the late Sam King, Arthur co-founded the Windrush Foundation with a mission to preserve and celebrate the untold stories of Caribbean settlers who transformed Britain. Arthur said, “Without National Lottery funding we couldn’t have made the impact that we have so far. It’s key that we continue promoting good community relations, endeavouring to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of race, encouraging equality of opportunity for all, and making the public aware of the contributions of Caribbean settlers and their descendants to Britain’s prosperity and heritage.”

Teresa Anderson MBE, director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement.

Teresa’s belief that the story of science tells us something about who we are as a people, has seen her become a champion of science and science heritage. She said, “Jodrell Bank is more than just a scientific facility; it’s a significant cultural and historical landmark. Its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site formed part of my mission to integrate science into cultural heritage, which has been supported by The National Lottery.”

Chantelle Lindsay, a Project Coordinator at London Wildlife Trust and co-presenter of children’s wildlife programme Teeny Tiny Creatures on CBeebies.

Chantelle has been fascinated by the natural world since she was a child; as an adult she’s become an advocate of breaking down barriers to wildlife and conservation for Black people and other Global Majority communities. In 2019, she took part in a youth programme called Keeping it Wild, part of The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Kick the Dust project. The initiative invested £10MMillion in 12 large-scale projects making heritage relevant to young people aged 11-25.

Sandy Bremner, Convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Britain’s biggest national park.

The Cairngorms 2030 programme, supported by The National Lottery, aims to improve biodiversity and tackle the challenges of climate change. It will make the Cairngorms the first net zero national park in the UK. Sandy said, “With continued support from the National Lottery, the National Park will continue to deliver transformational change, benefitting people’s health and wellbeing, addressing climate change and enhancing nature for future generations.”

Lisa Power MBE, Pride Cymru volunteer and LGBTQIA+ rights campaigner.

Lisa, who has been dubbed ‘the matriarch of LGBTQIA+ activism’, is Policy Director of the Terrence Higgins Trust and the co-founder of Stonewall. She coordinated the Icons and Allies Project with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project unearthed and honoured trailblazing LGBTQIA+ figures and allies from across Wales and continues to inspire people seven years after its inception. Lisa said, “There are lessons from the past that all of us could learn from, to avoid our heritage being hidden again.”

Heidi McIlvenny, project leader for Ulster Wildlife’s Sea Deep initiative until June 2022.

Passionate about sharks since her first encounter as a professional PADI divemaster on a Honduran island, Heidi launched a first-of-its-kind shark-tagging programme in Northern Ireland and coordinated efforts to gather vital data about local sharks, skates and rays. Heidi said, “Thanks to National Lottery funding, we’ve been able to make a significant impact on shark conservation efforts in Northern Ireland, contributing to the continued presence of these beautiful species in our environment.”

Thanks to you, our National Lottery players, more than £30MMillion is raised every week for good causes.

Find out more about the Game Changers initiative here.

24th October 2024