A giant land artwork – the size of four Olympic swimming pools - has been revealed at Whitby Abbey, honouring heritage, and conservation game changers, as part of The National Lottery’s birthday celebrations.

The National Lottery marked its 30th birthday with the epic 5,400 square metre ‘Heritage Tree’ land-art enveloping English Heritage’s Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire.

It was unveiled on Tuesday by actor and broadcaster, Sir Tony Robinson, the artwork celebrates the extraordinary achievements of seven Heritage ‘Game Changers’ - including the founders of the Eden Project and Windrush Foundation.

The breathtaking installation is created by renowned land artist, David Popa, who used the abbey’s landscape and natural pigments painted on the ground to show the Game Changer’s hands holding the roots of a tree.

The ‘Heritage Tree’ honours the seven people who have changed the game across heritage, land and nature over the last three decades.

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30 million is raised every week for good causes, and this is the second of four unique activities happening across the UK over the coming weeks, to mark The National Lottery’s 30th Birthday.

The seven ‘Game Changers’ who inspired the artwork are:

  • Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of The Eden Project.  
  • Arthur Torrington CBE, co-founder of the Windrush Foundation. 
  • Teresa Anderson MBE, Director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement.
  • Chantelle Lindsay, presenter, Project Officer with the London Wildlife Trust and advocate for diversity and inclusivity in wildlife.
  • Sandy Bremner, convener for the National Parks Authority.
  • Lisa Power MBE, trailblazer for LGBTQIA+ rights and Pride Cymru volunteer.
  • Heidi McIlvenny, project leader for Ulster Wildlife's Sea Deep initiative until June 2022.

Sir Tony Robinson said: “Given the hugely important work of all seven, 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."

(Image: PA Media) Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive officer, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Our heritage is incredibly diverse, from archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to sweeping landscapes and rare wildlife.

“At the root of each part of our heritage are people. People who believe in the value of heritage, who dedicate their lives to preserving and enriching it for all to enjoy, people who are game changers for heritage.

“The creation of a stunning ‘Heritage Tree’ installation at Whitby Abbey honours seven of those extraordinary Game Changers and beautifully symbolises the deep roots and ever-growing impact of each, reflecting our shared ambition to strengthen heritage.”

To mark the 30th anniversary of the first draw in 1994, The National Lottery is celebrating 30 inspirational Game Changers who have achieved amazing things in the last 30 years with the help of National Lottery funding.

The Game Changers were nominated by members of the public and selected by a panel of members of The National Lottery family and partners.

They were selected as examples of inspiring individuals who developed and delivered National Lottery funded projects to preserve heritage and enhance science and the environment.

National Lottery funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund helped them to make heritage stronger and more financially resilient benefitting communities throughout the UK.

28 Game Changers will be revealed in September and October at four installations which will focus on an area of National Lottery funding including, the arts & film, heritage, sport and community.

The final two Game Changers will be announced on The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash scheduled for broadcast on ITV on 31 December.

Since 1994, more than £8.6bn has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support thousands of projects - like those of the Game Changers.

Between 1996–2000, English Heritage received more than £3.7m of National Lottery funding from The National Lottery Heritage fund for the restoration and protection of the natural and historic character of Whitby Headland, including the conservation of the abbey.

For the last 30 years no one has done more to change the game in the UK than National Lottery players. But we are just getting started, could National Lottery funding make you the next Game Changer in your community? Find out more here: https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/gamechangers