The Bute Park Restoration Project beat hundreds of projects from across the UK to take home a runner-up trophy in the National Lottery Awards. The show was broadcast live on BBC One on Saturday 8 December and hosted by actor John Barrowman.

Representatives from the project mingled with celebrity guests at this year’s star-studded awards event.

Accepting the runners-up award in the Heritage category, Dr Julia Sas from the Bute Park Restoration Project, said: “The Bute Park Restoration Project is proud to have made it through to the finals. We are grateful for the enthusiastic support we have received, not only from our local community but also the wider support of those who have used the park, and those who appreciate the value of local heritage and city green havens. Thank you to those who helped with canvassing support, helping us receive over 3,400 public votes. We have enjoyed every moment of sharing our achievements with others. These Awards have helped highlight the difference our project has made, using Lottery funding to make a positive impact.”

The Bute Park Restoration Project has transformed Cardiff's largest city centre park into a place celebrated by residents and visitors alike.

Congratulating all the finalists, National Lottery Awards host John Barrowman said: “The National Lottery has been changing lives for 18 years, raising £30million every week for large and small projects across the UK. The National Lottery Awards are a fantastic way of celebrating the enormous amount of hard work that goes into making these projects a success. All the finalists are making a real difference to people and communities every day with their Lottery funding. National Lottery players should be proud of the life-changing impact that their money has.”

The National Lottery Awards are an annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery funded projects. All the projects have already received Lottery funding, and the awards recognise the difference these projects make to local communities, and celebrate the achievements of the people behind them. There were seven categories in the awards, each reflecting an area of Lottery funding. A short film on each of the winners was played during the special BBC One programme.  

For more information on the awards and the winners across all seven categories go to the Lottery Good Causes website.

Notes to editors

The Bute Park Restoration Project received £3,123,000 Lottery funding from Heritage Lottery Fund.

Further information

For media enquiries, contact Jackie Aplin at The National Lottery Awards on 029 2067 8278 / 07917 791 873, email: jackie.aplin@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.