TV favourite, Sally Lindsay, is calling on the people of Wales to nominate their favourite Lottery-funded project in The National Lottery Awards 2010.
In the last year alone , over £62 million of Lottery funding has gone to projects in Wales and now The National Lottery is encouraging these projects, and the thousands like them across the UK that have received funding over the past 15 years, to enter the Awards and gain recognition for their work.
National Lottery Awards ambassador and former Coronation Street actress, Sally, says: “These Awards are an annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects and recognise the dedication of the people behind them who are making a difference in their communities.”
Sally continues: “Lottery players raise £25 million every week for projects both large and small, which are benefiting people, places and communities all across the UK. 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 with the help of Lottery funding, then now is your chance to nominate it.”
The entrants that make it to the finals of The National Lottery Awards will appear on a star-studded prime-time BBC1 TV show later this year. They will also have a chance to win a £2,000 cash prize .
Last year there were ten Welsh semi-finalists and three Welsh runners up – Odyssey Theatre, Cardiff in the Arts category, Ferndale Skate Park, Rhondda, in the Sport category and the Feel Good Factory, Cynon Valley in the Voluntary/Charity category.
Michelle Lenton-Johnson of the Feel Good Factory says:
“Taking part in The National Lottery Awards last year was a great experience. We reached the final stage and were named as a runner-up in our category. Being involved in the Awards helped us to raise our profile, engage with the public and celebrate the work that we do. The support that we received from the community was fantastic.”
The Awards have seven categories – each reflect an area of Lottery funding: Sport; Heritage; Arts; Environment; Voluntary/Charity (in association with Woman magazine), Health and Education.
So if you want to see a winner from Wales in one or more of these categories in 2010 visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk to find out more. Nominations can be made from 9am on Monday 11 January by calling 020 7324 4366 or visiting the website. Entries must be received by 5pm on Friday 12 February.
