Thanks a Lotto! - £1.5 billion to UK projects

3 February 2016 – Press release

Thanks a Lotto! - £1.5 billion to UK projects

Newly revealed figures show that more than £1.5 billion of National Lottery funding was awarded across the length and breadth of the UK last year alone.

22,500 grants were given out across the country last year; providing a vital boost to local arts, sports and heritage projects alongside community groups helping those most in need.

Grants were awarded to a wide range of projects in 2015, from £100 for Pontyclun Athletic Bowls Club to £33.2 million for The Wildlife Trusts. The majority of grants were for £10,000 or less including:

• £4,400 to Belfast Community Sports Development Network to develop coaching sessions for primary schools pupils from across the city.
• £5,000 to BulliesOut in Cardiff to give their young ambassadors from across South Wales the opportunity to gain a youth achievement award.
• £9,400 to Watford's Printing Past Study Group for an exhibition to celebrate the town’s printing heritage.
• £9,960 to Greater Easterhouse Supporting Hands in Glasgow which runs a community hub and social club which caters for individuals with disabilities.

From today, these projects, or any organisation that have ever received Lottery funding, have the possibility of gaining nationwide acclaim by entering The National Lottery Awards 2016.

National Lottery Awards winners will receive a £3,000 cash prize and national recognition at a glittering ceremony broadcast on BBC One in October.

John Barrowman, presenter of last year’s National Lottery Awards show, said:

“The National Lottery Awards offer an unmissable opportunity to give outstanding projects their time to shine. If you can think of a great Lottery-funded project, please nominate them for an Award.

“All these fantastic projects are funded by National Lottery players – every one of you should feel proud to raise an astounding £34 million a week, which provides much needed support to such life-changing work.”

National Lottery Awards are given across seven categories; Sport, Heritage, Arts, Environment, Health, Education and Voluntary/Charity, to reflect the range of funding that the Lottery gives out.

This year’s nominees could follow in the footsteps of last year’s winners such as Bristol-based 1625 Independent People who picked up the Best Voluntary/Charity Award or The Ministry of Stories in East London who were voted the UK’s Best Arts project.

If you wish to nominate your favourite project in this year’s National Lottery Awards, tweet @LottoGoodCauses with your suggestions or call 0207 293 3599 to find out more and to enter. Entries must be received by midnight on 9 March 2016.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:

Michael Thompson at the National Lottery Promotions Unit on 0207 211 3894 or email Michael.Thompson@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk