Holy Child School Marks National Lottery Birthday

An eco-scheme at Holy Child primary school in west Belfast has been the location of celebrations to mark the National Lottery’s 18th birthday party.

The green activity garden and adventure area at the school cost £60,000 and was built through a grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Access to the garden and adventure area is available to the whole community.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: "It is significant that the National Lottery is marking their 18th birthday in Northern Ireland by visiting Holy Child.

"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."

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.

Miss Thompson said: "Since The National Lottery began in 1994, £900m 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."

Mr Attwood was speaking with pupils who sit on the school council which manages the project.

The project provides pupils and children in the community, including with special needs, with leisure facilities which had not existed in Andersonstown.

(IT)