Jenni Falconer Presents Award to New Forest Nightstop

Draw Show presenter Jenni Falconer yesterday surprised workers and volunteers at New Forest Nightstop by presenting them with a National Lottery Award.

New Forest Nightstop has been voted Best Voluntary/Charity Project in this year’s National Lottery Awards by members of the public. The National Lottery Awards recognise the outstanding contribution that Lottery-funded projects make to their local community.

New Forest Nightstop provides the only free short term emergency accommodation for homeless young people aged 16-24 in the homes of trained and approved volunteers around the New Forest.

The National Lottery has been changing people’s lives for 18 years. Every week National Lottery players raise over £30 million for good causes.

Jenni Falconer is delighted that the work of New Forest Nightstop has been recognised:

“It’s fantastic that the public have voted for New Forest Nightstop in their droves. It’s an incredible project that has helped so many young people who found themselves homeless. National Lottery players should be proud that their money is changing people’s lives like this.”

Jude Todd, Nightstop Coordinator said:

“It is a huge honour for everyone associated with New Forest Nightstop to win the UK's Best Voluntary/Charity project. Lottery funding has helped us to transform the lives of so many vulnerable, homeless young people. Our volunteers work tirelessly to make the project happen; their work really does save lives. They do this through welcoming a young person into their homes, offering them safety and hope. This award reflects the tremendous support of our local community and to win at a national level is exceptional for such a small charity.”

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.

New Forest Nightstop and the six other winners will be celebrated at a special star-studded BBC One programme on this Saturday, 8 December. Winners receive a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project as well as a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy.