People in Wales are being called on to nominate their favourite Lottery-funded project for recognition in The National Lottery Awards 2011.
In the last year alone, over £64 million of Lottery funding has been invested in good causes in Wales and now The National Lottery is encouraging these projects, and any organisation that has received Lottery funding over the past 16 years, to enter the Awards and gain national recognition for their work.
Jackie Aplin of The National Lottery Awards, says: “These Awards are the annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects. The National Lottery Awards recognise how Lottery-funded projects put their money to good use and celebrate the people behind the projects who work so tirelessly to make their organisations a success.
“Lottery players raise £28 million every week for projects both large and small, which benefit people, places and communities right across the UK. So, if a Lottery-funded project has had a positive impact on your local area, made a real difference to your life or if you are personally involved with a project that is transforming your community, we want to hear from you.”
The entrants that make it to the finals of The National Lottery Awards will receive national recognition at a star-studded event broadcast on BBC One later this year. They will also have a chance to win a £2000 cash prize.
Cath James, Project Manager at Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Services (BGDAS), is joining Jackie in encouraging Lottery-funded projects to get involved. The charity was a runner up in the Best Voluntary/Charity Project Category in 2010 for the work they do with adults and children dealing with the impact of domestic abuse across Blaenau Gwent.
Cath says: “Taking part in The National Lottery Awards last year was a tremendously rewarding experience. We received a runners-up award in our category. It’s been a real boost for all the staff and volunteers involved in the project to receive national recognition for their hard work and dedication. It gave us an opportunity to raise awareness of domestic abuse to people who wouldn’t normally get involved, and the support we received from the public gave us all a wonderful sense of achievement. It would be great to see a Welsh winner this year.”
The National Lottery Awards have seven categories – each reflecting an area of Lottery funding: Sport; Heritage; Arts; Environment; Health; Education; and Voluntary/Charity.
If you want to see a project from Wales celebrated in this year’s National Lottery Awards, visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk to find out more or call 0207 960 6828. The Awards are now open for entries and any projects wishing to enter can do so by visiting the website. Entries must be received by 5pm on Friday 18 February.
