– PRESS RELEASE –

“A remarkable heritage champion who began a 25-year crusade to save and restore a famous castle in North Wales – when he was just 11 years old – is in line for special recognition after being nominated in the ‘outstanding individuals’ section of the 2023 National Lottery Awards.

The National Lottery Awards are the annual celebration of the ordinary individuals and organisations who do extraordinary things with the help of National Lottery funding. 

After developing a passion for Gwrych Castle near his hometown of Abergele as a child, Dr Mark Baker, 38, has devoted his whole life to saving and restoring the historic Conwy landmark, which was made famous when it hosted the TV show ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here’. Mark has been shortlisted for a Special Achievement Award in the outstanding individual’s section of this year’s Awards in recognition of his his lifelong campaign and passion to save the Grade I listed country house from falling into ruin after it closed in 1987. 

This year, 3,780 people and projects throughout the UK were nominated for the National Lottery Awards in recognition of their unwavering efforts to improve their community. After a panel sifted through the thousands of nominations, Mark is now one of only five individuals across the UK shortlisted in the Special Achievement category, waiting to see if he will be crowned outstanding UK individual in her group. 

As an eleven-year-old child in 1996, Mark passed the castle daily and found the destruction so appalling that he went on to find the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust at the age of 12. With the support of National Lottery Heritage funding, in 2018, under Mark’s leadership, the castle and estate were purchased by Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust, on behalf of the nation. Work could now start on redeveloping and further National Lottery good causes funding followed. 

Mark has led a team of 100 staff and volunteers in restoring and opening the site to the public and he helped the castle and the local community during the pandemic by bringing the TV show ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here’ and its production team to the town. 

In the five years since Gwrych has reopened to the public as a tourist attraction, it has generated extra revenue and publicity through TV filming, most notably two series of I’m A Celebrity, and it has also restored estate buildings into holiday lets and recently secured a wedding license. The castle welcomed more than 100,000 visitors in 2022 and expects more this year. 

Delighted to be nominated, Mark said: “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call. It’s lovely to be nominated. Breathing life back into the castle is a lifelong labour of love for me but it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of funders such as The National Lottery or the fantastic team and group of dedicated volunteers I’m proud to work with on this wonderful project and journey.” 

During the summer, a panel made up of representatives of The National Lottery and partners from across the UK will decide the winners in each of the individual categories. Winners will be revealed in the Autumn and will receive a £5,000 cash prize for their organisation and a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy. 

Jonathan Tuchner, from The National Lottery, said: “The National Lottery Awards honour those who have stepped up and have gone the extra mile to make a difference in their communities, especially during these challenging times. 

Thanks to National Lottery players and the £30 million raised each week for good causes, thousands of individuals throughout the UK, like Mark, have been making an incredible difference in their areas, and this is our chance to highlight and celebrate the exceptional work of these selfless local heroes.” The outstanding individual’s section of this year’s National Lottery Awards honour unsung heroes in the following categories: 

• Culture, Arts & Film 
• Heritage 
• Sport 
• Community/Charity 
• Environment 
• Young Hero Award (for someone under the age of 25) 
• Special Achievement 

In addition to the outstanding individual’s category, an online public vote will be held this year to find The National Lottery’ UK Project of the Year. These nominees will be whittled down to 16 finalists, with a UK-wide public vote in September deciding the winner.”