TV nature presenter Steve Backshall was on hand to deliver the good news to the team after they won a public vote to land the prize in the annual search for the most popular projects funded by The National Lottery.

Backshall, the well-loved wildlife presenter of BBC’s Deadly 60, presented the project with their award this week (23 September) at Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire. A short film featuring his visit will be shown on BBC One in November as part of the 25th Birthday National Lottery Awards.

“I’ve had a fantastic time mingling with the Back from the Brink staff, learning in more detail about the work they do. It’s the perfect project for the public to get behind.”

- Steve Backshall

As the first of its kind, Back from the Brink seeks to save 20 of the UK’s most endangered animals, plants and fungi. This ambitious programme will also benefit more than 200 at-risk species, carried out by 19 projects at more than 40 sites across England.

Steve Backshall said: “It was an absolute joy to present Back from the Brink with their well-deserved 25th Birthday National Lottery Award this afternoon. Conserving these species is something they champion and is vital to our ecosystems.
 
“I’ve had a fantastic time mingling with the Back from the Brink staff, learning in more detail about the work they do. It’s the perfect project for the public to get behind.”

James at Back from the Brink added: “We are delighted to be named Best Heritage project in the 25th Birthday National Lottery Awards. I would like to thank everyone who supported our campaign and voted for us.

“This means so much for everyone involved with Back from the Brink. It feels especially rewarding to be recognised by The National Lottery, whose funding has been so pivotal in making a positive difference to England’s most endangered species and the communities that care for them.”

The National Lottery Awards are the annual search for the public’s favourite National Lottery-funded projects and celebrate the inspirational people who do extraordinary things with the help of National Lottery funding.

Back from the Brink, which received £4.6million of National Lottery funding, will receive a £10,000 cash prize and an iconic trophy, and team members will attend a star-studded awards ceremony to be broadcast on BBC One in November.

25 years of funding for heritage

Over the past 25 years, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been the largest dedicated grant funder of the UK’s heritage. We’ve awarded £8bn to more than 44,000 projects across the UK.