Sir Chris Hoy celebrates £1B National Lottery milestone for Glasgow ahead of Commonwealth Games

To celebrate the achievement, and just one week before Glasgow 2026 begins, Scotland’s six-time Olympic champion and two-time Commonwealth cycling champion visited Glasgow The Caring City, a local charity which helps people in the city in times of need. Sir Chris saw for himself how National Lottery funding is helping local young people feel part of the Games.

The Govan-based charity is one of 47 Glasgow projects receiving a share of £404,919 through the National Lottery Awards for All Scotland programme this summer, with the latest Commonwealth Games-themed grants forming part of a £1 billion National Lottery legacy across Glasgow since 1994.

More than 14,000 grants have been awarded in every part of the city since The National Lottery began, supporting arts, heritage, sport and community projects.

At Glasgow The Caring City, Sir Chris joined participants from the charity’s Move, Create, Connect project, which is delivering arts and sports activities for teenagers with additional support needs, including mural painting, creative media and cycling.

Sir Chris Hoy said: “It is vital that everyone can feel included in the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which is why it was truly inspiring to see today’s arts and sports sessions helping young people forge that connection. Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise around £33 million every week for good causes like Glasgow The Caring City, these life-changing moments are made possible. The impact in communities is simply phenomenal - because of you."

The latest National Lottery Awards funding is delivered jointly by The National Lottery Community Fund, Creative Scotland and sportscotland. The grants will help local groups host community-led arts, sport and cultural activities that bring people together, encourage participation and build excitement, pride and connection around Glasgow 2026.

Ross Galbraith, Operations Manager for Glasgow The Caring City, said: “We were very proud to welcome Sir Chris today, and to have the opportunity to showcase our summer programme which is all about improving the lives and prospects of young people, an impact only possible because of National Lottery players.”

Glasgow The Caring City is based across the River Clyde from the OVO Hydro – the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony venue – and within a mile of Hopscotch Theatre, the city’s first ever recipient of National Lottery funding more than 31 years ago.

Neil Ritch, The National Lottery Community Fund Director for Scotland said on behalf of the funding distributors: “The first National Lottery grant in Glasgow was made in January 1995, to a touring theatre company in Govan, and three decades later, that investment is still flowing through every part of this city. 

“At the heart of it has been the steady, sustained investment that keeps community infrastructure alive - the youth clubs, arts groups, sports initiatives and heritage buildings that give Glasgow its character and its resilience. 

“The latest National Lottery Awards for All Scotland funding announced this summer continues that legacy, helping local groups create arts, sport and cultural activities that bring people together and connect communities with the excitement of Glasgow 2026.

“That was evident at Glasgow The Caring City today, a brilliant example of a project increasing access to arts and sport, strengthening community connections, and celebrating cultural diversity and international links in the lead-up to the Games.

“As the Commonwealth Games arrives in Glasgow next week, the communities supported by National Lottery players over the past 31 years will be at the heart of it – showing the lasting difference their contribution has made.”

Other National Lottery Awards for All Scotland grants made across the city include:

• Glasgow Piano Project CIC will receive £10,000 to deliver an inclusive and accessible piano project across Glasgow to encourage participation in music.
• Glasgow based not-for-profit company, Dates-and-Mates will receive £10,000 to deliver a year long programme of inclusive sport and social activities for three hundred adults with learning disabilities across Scotland.
• Victoria Park City of Glasgow Athletic Club will receive £6,500 to purchase two frame running bikes and a racing wheelchair for the use of members with disabilities.

Chris Ansell, Glasgow 2026 Director of Live Sites and Programmes said:

“With less than a week to go until the first medal of Glasgow 2026 is awarded, it’s great to see the energy of the Games bringing people together and inspiring communities. 

“Having The National Lottery go All In for Glasgow 2026 with this additional investment, is a great way of ensuring that communities across Scotland can feel part of the Games long after the closing ceremony.”