Member Article

Charity lottery reaches milestone

Charity Lottery, People’s Postcode Lottery, has today announced that its players have raised over £20 million for good causes since its launch in 2008, bringing smiles to the faces of people all over Great Britain.

From national charities to local good causes, the funding raised by players is making a huge difference to communities, and having raised over £20 million in total there’s plenty to celebrate.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust has been lucky enough to receive a slice of this support from the players, having been awarded a total of almost £400,000 to date. This vital funding has had a huge impact on the charity’s work and has helped it conserve rare wildlife in the Region from dormice, water voles and butterflies to peat bogs, rare grasslands and rockpools.

Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to hear that the players have raised over £20 million - what an unbelievable figure and such positive news at what is a very difficult time for charity funding; support from the players cannot be underestimated and we are so very thankful to everyone who plays.

“Wildlife can’t stand up for itself which is why we have to do it – if we didn’t do it, who will? The invaluable support from People’s Postcode Lottery means that we can get on and do what we do best – conserving wildlife for future generations to enjoy.”

Most recently, People’s Postcode Lottery funding has enabled a team of volunteers to clear the Trust’s Annstead Dunes reserve of ragwort (a daisy-like, yellow flower which grows like ‘wild-fire’) to prevent erosion to the sand dunes and to protect the amazing variety of wildflowers such as lady’s bedstraw, restharrow and bloody crane’s-bill which have begun to thrive on the site.

People’s Postcode Lottery Managing Director Jo Bucci said: “Raising over £20 million for good causes across Great Britain is a massive achievement and it’s all thanks to generous players.

“The recession has hit all sectors, but obviously an area of particular concern has been the impact it’s had on charitable giving. We are so proud that we have helped to buck that trend, and continue to raise funds for causes that find their services are in more demand than ever before.”

Players also support grant giving body, People’s Postcode Trust, which awards project funding to community groups and charities across Great Britain.

Over £4.4 million has been awarded to over 850 projects so far. The application process for awards up to £2,000 is currently open and Trustees are encouraging all eligible groups to apply. The next funding
round for projects up to £10,000 opens again on 8 October. Visit www.postcodetrust.org.uk for all the details.

People’s Postcode Lottery launched in January 2008. 40p from every £2 ticket goes direct to good causes. For more information visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Fiona Dryden .