Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Services is the only Welsh finalist in The National Lottery Awards 2010, and now needs your vote to help it win.
The project is competing in the Best Voluntary/Charity Project category in the Awards, which are the annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects. Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Services has to beat just two other finalists to win the title of the UK’s Best Voluntary/Charity Project (in association with Woman magazine). All the projects in the running have already received Lottery funding, and the Awards celebrate how they have put that money to good use.
Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Services provides a range of support and information to anyone in the area affected by domestic abuse. The project provides emotional support and group programmes for adults and children, as well as offering relaxation and acupuncture. Lottery funding has helped the organisation to employ more staff to support people in Blaenau Gwent.
Catherine James, Project Manager of Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Services, says: “We are absolutely delighted to have made it to the final of The National Lottery Awards and want to thank everyone who has supported us so far. Lottery funding has helped us to employ someone to develop our victim rehabilitation programme and someone to work with young people who have been affected by domestic abuse. Both roles are absolutely critical in reaching out to people affected by domestic abuse and we wouldn’t be able to help people in the same way without this funding. We hope that the local community will now vote for us to win so that our staff and volunteers receive the recognition they deserve.”
This year’s National Lottery Awards are supported by actress Fay Ripley, who attended last year’s Awards ceremony, which was broadcast on BBC One. She says: “Each year The National Lottery Awards recognise the incredible impact that Lottery-funded projects have on people and communities across the UK. Lottery players raise £25 million every week to support projects like Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Services, which has done so well to reach the final of The National Lottery Awards. Please take the time to show your support for your local finalist – every vote really does make a difference!”
The National Lottery Awards recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects – both big and small – make to local communities, and celebrate the achievements of the people behind them. The Awards have seven categories – each reflecting an area of Lottery funding: sport; heritage; arts; environment; education; health (in association with iVillage.co.uk) and voluntary/charity (in association with Woman magazine).
The winners of each category will be announced during a star-studded Awards event, broadcast on the BBC in September, and this year held at London’s Roundhouse, which is Lottery-funded.
Public voting for the final starts at 9am on 26 July and ends at midday on 13 August. The public can vote for Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Services by calling 0844 686 5256 or going online to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards
