⭐ Wall of Fame- 19.08.20 ⭐
18th August 2020
Have you heard about the National Lottery Good News Bulletin? It's a five episode series featuring people and projects across the UK that have been using National Lottery funding during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, hosted by Comedian Joe Wilkinson. The first three episodes are available to watch now via the Lottery Good Causes YouTube channel.
In this week’s Wall of Fame, we're taking a look at three of the amazing projects featured in the Bulletin so far...
1. Team Jak Foundation, featured in episode one of The Good News Bulletin
The Team Jak Foundation, based in Livingston, have been supporting young people with cancer and their families by delivering a range of group and 1-2-1 activities online and over the phone.
Co-Founder, Allison Barr said “The National Lottery grant we received during lockdown was phenomenal as it enabled us to have the space, facilities and staffing needed to provide vital support to young people with cancer aged 25 and under throughout Scotland.
Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to move many of our services online during the pandemic, continuing to host counselling, music therapy and peer related activities. Everyone at Team Jak is a family. We are so proud to provide a safe haven and a sense of being and belonging to young people.”
2. Blackford Gala Day Committee, featured in episode two of The Good News Bulletin
Blackford Gala Day Committee recently provided 450 households with sausages, rolls and disposable barbecue kits so people could enjoy a socially distanced meal in their gardens during lockdown.
Gordon Roy, member of the Blackford Gala Committee, comments “We originally started the week-long Blackford Gala celebrations in 1977, as part of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, a huge range of events to bring the local community together, including; picnics, art competitions, theatre shows, treasure hunts and concerts.
“But how to do you do Gala Day when you are not able to gather? We wanted to give folks something to look forward to, and something to look back on - and that’s where National Lottery players stepped in.
“With the emergency funding (and a team of 30 volunteers!), we bought enough sausages, rolls and disposable BBQs to deliver food to every house and garden in the village and offer a BBQ if required. By Sunday afternoon, the whole village was involved!”
3. Bikes for Refugees, featured in episode three of The Good News Bulletin
Bikes for Refugees have been supporting refugees and asylum seekers in various ways across Scotland.
Steven McCluskey, founder of Bikes for Refugees, says: “Refugees and asylum seekers often have a limited allowance, and so a bike can offer an incredible freedom of travel, the chance to explore their surroundings and connect with the local community and essential services.
“Over the last few months, and thanks to funding from National Lottery players, we have been able to respond to the more immediate and emergency needs of refugees and asylum seekers, by providing essential food packs, as they have faced food insecurity, poverty and isolation”