Twins dive for success, thanks to Lottery-funded Leeds Aquatic Centre

Identical twin sisters Helen and Carol Galashan are two of a kind. They live together in Leeds, are on the same course at Leeds Metropolitan University and are two of Britain’s leading synchronised diving hopefuls for 2012.

Now they’re taking part in a special performance, diving into a pool filled with giant Lottery balls to celebrate the vital part that Lottery funding has played in helping them to become British diving champions. The pair train at the state-of-the-art Aquatics Centre, part of the John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds - one of the world’s best diving facilities. Both the Centre and the twins’ training programme have been backed by Lottery funding.

“The Aquatics Centre is a fantastic place for us to train and one of the main reasons we moved to Leeds,” explains Helen, 21. “We’re the envy of many of the divers we compete with across the world because we have such amazing facilities like poolside video play back and a dry dive facility right next to the pool. The Centre gives us the best possible chance to realise our Olympic dream and we’re so lucky to have it on our doorstep.”

The Centre, which opened in 2007, offers diving lessons for all levels from beginners to professional athletes like Helen and Carol. The special diving feat is part of a UK-wide roadshow, which aims to bring to life the diverse range of projects that benefit from the £25 million raised for Good Causes by Lottery players each week. Giant Lottery balls will be popping up at various locations around the region during the week, so local residents can see how Lottery funding benefits their area. Look out for them at the Leeds City Museum, the National Coal Mining Museum for England in Wakefield, Hull Outreach Goalball project at the University of Hull, the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield and DIG Archaeological Adventure in York.

Katy Hemmings from The National Lottery explains: “We think it’s important that Lottery players know about all the fantastic projects, both in their area and across the UK, that are made possible thanks to the money they help raise each week. We hope that Helen and Carol's story, and the giant Lottery balls at Leeds Aquatic Centre and at other projects across the region, will help make people more aware of how Lottery funding has benefited their local community.”

Ten Lottery funding facts you might not know:

1. Each week Lottery players raise £25 million for Good Causes across the UK

2. Last year alone, more than £122 million was invested in projects in Yorkshire and The Humber

3. More than 22,500 Good Causes in the Yorkshire and The Humber - both big and small - have benefited from funding since the Lottery began

4. The Lottery is 15 this year! The first Lottery draw was on 19 November 1994

5. Since its launch in 1994, more than £22 billion has been raised for Good Causes

6. Over 300,000 Lottery grants have been given out across the arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment since 1994. But they all have one thing in common, they make a positive difference to communities across the region, helping the lives of local people and improving the places they enjoy

7. Over half of all Lottery grants are for under £5,000, helping local projects make a big difference to people in their communities

8. Since the Lottery began in 1994, over £1 billion has been raised for projects that support people’s health and wellbeing

9. A total of 436 Olympic and Paralympic medals have been won by athletes funded by the Lottery, with Beijing 2008 being Team GB’s best medal haul for 100 years

10. Over £10 billion of National Lottery funding has gone to projects that benefit children and young people.

For more information/photography please contact: Lynsey Barry at the Red Consultancy on 020 7025 6593 or email: lynsey.barry@redconsultancy.com

To find out how to apply for National Lottery funding, visit: www.lotteryfunding.org.uk or call 0845 275 0000.