Read all about it… Professor Green ramps up support for homelessness charity

British rapper and activist, Professor Green, took a trip to Lewisham today to show support for National Lottery-funded homelessness charity 999 Club, which is entering this year’s National Lottery Awards.

The National Lottery Awards are the annual search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects. The Awards recognise the inspirational work done by organisations who use National Lottery funding to transform communities and change lives, like the 999 Club, and any project which has received National Lottery-funding can apply.

Professor Green visited the charity which helps homeless people in the local area, and took part in its ‘Alternatives to Violence’ workshop, to explore non-violent ways of working through conflict.

Professor Green said: “It’s inspiring to see a charity like the 999 Club preventing the social injustice of homelessness. The National Lottery funding the project has received is key to providing these invaluable facilities and National Lottery players should feel proud for contributing to this life-changing work.

“Homelessness is a cause close to my heart. Recently I removed bars from Bournemouth’s ‘anti-homeless’ benches and transformed them into a homeless shelter instead – taking something really negative and making it positive.”

The number of homeless people on England's streets has now reached the highest levels since records began. Figures released by national homelessness charity Homeless Link state that Rough Sleeping is estimated to have increased 169 per cent since 2010, with London accounting for 24% of rough sleepers in England.

Over £360,000 of National Lottery money has helped the 999 Club fund the ‘Move on up’ project, which is being entered into the National Lottery Awards 2018. The project empowers people to resolve the issues that led to their homelessness so they can lead a fulfilling life.

999 Club Chief Executive, Tim Fallon, said: “At the 999 Club we provide a warm welcome for people who are often ignored, feared or stigmatised and work with them to find the support and accommodation they so desperately need.

“In this increasingly challenging environment, we rely on the generosity of our donors to fund the vital services we deliver. Multi-year National Lottery funding has been transformational for us and has provided much-needed resource to enable us to make change count for homeless people. We are most grateful for this ongoing support.”

To enter the National Lottery Awards, go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk, tweet @LottoGoodCauses with your suggestions or call 0207 293 3599. Entries must be received by midnight on 6 April 2018.

There are seven categories in the National Lottery Awards: Arts, Education, Environment, Health, Heritage, Sport and Voluntary/Charity reflect the breadth of funding that the National Lottery invests in.

You will be able to vote for your favourite finalist from 29 June until the 27 July. The winners of the seven National Lottery Awards categories will be announced in September. Winners receive a £5,000 prize, an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and attend a star-studded Awards ceremony in London- broadcast on BBC One in September.

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For further information please contact The National Lottery Awards:

Nicola Bligh on 0207 211 3991 or Nicola.Bligh@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk