The National Lottery is 18 years old and chose an environment scheme at Holy Child primary school in West Belfast to mark the occasion.
The "green" activity garden and adventure area cost £60,000 and was covered by a grant from the Big Lottery Fund from the People's Millions programme which is run in partnership with UTV. It allows the public to vote on projects and decide where Lottery Good Cause funding should go.
The garden and adventure area are available not just to pupils but to the wider community.
Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, in paying tribute to the Holy Child Primary School said: “Top marks to Holy Child Primary School for its eco-friendly initiatives. I am very impressed with all the hard work done by the school to create this activity garden and adventure area. Getting children involved early, using their imagination in protecting and promoting our environment and having fun in doing it is a great investment for the future of our planet.
“What is particularly pleasing here is that the facility can be enjoyed by the wider community meaning Holy Child is also playing a vital role in making the local area a greener, healthier environment. It is a real living, vibrant boost for the area. It is significant that the National Lottery is marking their 18th birthday in Northern Ireland by visiting Holy Child. I thank the National Lottery for the thousands of pounds they have provided and thank staff and pupils for the really eye catching and rewarding way they have used that money."
Mr Attwood was accompanied by Joanne McDowell, Director of the Big Lottery Fund in Northern Ireland, and Dianne Thompson, Chief Executive of the Camelot Group, operators of the National Lottery which generates funds for the National Lottery's Good Causes.
Next week the National Lottery celebrates its 18th birthday and Miss Thompson said: "Since The National Lottery began in 1994, £900million of National Lottery funding has been invested in Northern Ireland through 18,000 grants into arts, sports, heritage, education, environment, health, charity and voluntary projects, making a life-changing difference to all communities. The excellent Holy Child project is a fine example of how lottery players benefit the community."
Joanne McDowell said: "The People's Millions is a great way of showing what local groups can achieve when they have the support of their community behind them and the Andersonstown Eco Dream Playground project highlights the real difference that the funding can make."
Mr Attwood met pupils who sit on the school council which manages the project. It provides pupils and members of the community - including those with special needs - with leisure facilities which had not existed in Andersonstown.
The eco activity garden is surrounded by trees, shrubs and seating areas and the adventure zones include play equipment, a football and basketball area and a new playground with markings.
Notes to editors:
1. Alex Attwood will unveil the green activity garden and adventure area at 2.45pm on Monday 12 November at Holy Child Primary School, South Green, Andersonstown.
2. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9025 6058 or for out of office hours, contact the duty press officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
The "green" activity garden and adventure area cost £60,000 and was covered by a grant from the Big Lottery Fund from the People's Millions programme which is run in partnership with UTV. It allows the public to vote on projects and decide where Lottery Good Cause funding should go.
The garden and adventure area are available not just to pupils but to the wider community.
Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, in paying tribute to the Holy Child Primary School said: “Top marks to Holy Child Primary School for its eco-friendly initiatives. I am very impressed with all the hard work done by the school to create this activity garden and adventure area. Getting children involved early, using their imagination in protecting and promoting our environment and having fun in doing it is a great investment for the future of our planet.
“What is particularly pleasing here is that the facility can be enjoyed by the wider community meaning Holy Child is also playing a vital role in making the local area a greener, healthier environment. It is a real living, vibrant boost for the area. It is significant that the National Lottery is marking their 18th birthday in Northern Ireland by visiting Holy Child. I thank the National Lottery for the thousands of pounds they have provided and thank staff and pupils for the really eye catching and rewarding way they have used that money."
Mr Attwood was accompanied by Joanne McDowell, Director of the Big Lottery Fund in Northern Ireland, and Dianne Thompson, Chief Executive of the Camelot Group, operators of the National Lottery which generates funds for the National Lottery's Good Causes.
Next week the National Lottery celebrates its 18th birthday and Miss Thompson said: "Since The National Lottery began in 1994, £900million of National Lottery funding has been invested in Northern Ireland through 18,000 grants into arts, sports, heritage, education, environment, health, charity and voluntary projects, making a life-changing difference to all communities. The excellent Holy Child project is a fine example of how lottery players benefit the community."
Joanne McDowell said: "The People's Millions is a great way of showing what local groups can achieve when they have the support of their community behind them and the Andersonstown Eco Dream Playground project highlights the real difference that the funding can make."
Mr Attwood met pupils who sit on the school council which manages the project. It provides pupils and members of the community - including those with special needs - with leisure facilities which had not existed in Andersonstown.
The eco activity garden is surrounded by trees, shrubs and seating areas and the adventure zones include play equipment, a football and basketball area and a new playground with markings.
Notes to editors:
1. Alex Attwood will unveil the green activity garden and adventure area at 2.45pm on Monday 12 November at Holy Child Primary School, South Green, Andersonstown.
2. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9025 6058 or for out of office hours, contact the duty press officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Story by DOE
News Archive