MCFLY’S Dougie & Harry Have a Lotto Fun at Award-Winning Project

Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter made a surprise visit to the Four Squares Estate in Bermondsey today, to congratulate a group of young volunteers on winning a National Lottery Award.

The youngsters from all round the country came together to help celebrate Community Space Challenge being voted Best Environment Project in this year’s National Lottery Awards.

McFly’s Harry was more than happy to swap his drumsticks for a paintbrush, saying: “For some youngsters being in gangs and hanging around the streets seems like the only way to pass time. Projects like this give them another choice - something to do and be a part of. The volunteers I’ve spoken to are so grateful to be given the opportunity to make a difference to the area and are so proud of what they’re achieving.”

Band mate Dougie was equally as impressed by the work of Community Space Challenge, adding: “When I woke up this morning I never expected to end up painting and gardening, but what a great day! The dedication of the volunteers we’ve met today is incredible. They really want to improve the estates, making them cleaner, tidier places to live. The enthusiasm is infectious and it makes you want to get your hands dirty and give it a go.”

Paul Pearce, Projects Manager was stunned to see the McFly boys and equally as shocked to be presented with a National Lottery Award. “What a wonderful surprise and a fantastic afternoon. Everyone has loved it,” he said. Speaking about Community space Challenge he added: “Young people are full of energy and the programme has proved that if you provide them with something creative and rewarding to do, and believe in them, they have an incredible amount to offer. Winning a National Lottery Award is a great reward for all their hard work and will hopefully help this pioneering programme get the recognition it deserves.”

About the project:

With 70 projects around England, the work of Community Space Challenge focuses on improving outdoor spaces and involves groups of 5-20 young people carrying out a diverse range of projects from running community clean-up events and restoring public green spaces to working on nature reserves or cleaning graffiti and creating public murals. The project has set a new benchmark for youth environmental work and has changed perceptions of young people in hundreds of communities across England.

About the Awards:

There are seven categories in the National Lottery Awards, reflecting the main areas of Lottery funding: arts, education, environment, health, heritage, sport, and voluntary/charity.

Community Space Challenge and the six other winners will be celebrated at a special star-studded BBC One programme later in the year. Winners receive a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project as well as a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy.

Dougie concluded: “We’ve performed at The National Lottery Awards a couple of times and it really is a special night. It’s humbling to meet these incredible people making such a difference to their communities and the places where they live. The Community Space Challenge guests are in for a great night.”