Nominees Announced for National Lottery Awards

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARDS

Every time someone purchases a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard, they are not just dreaming of a big win, but also helping good causes. Grants are given to local groups that help the community and now some of them are being applauded for their achievements in the annual National Lottery Awards with the chance to win £5000.There were 700 projects considered for the awards and these have been reduced to 49 finalists. They are split into seven categories: arts, education, health, environment, sports, heritage, and voluntary/charity.Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Odbua, who hosted last year’s ceremony, said: “These awards give deserved recognition to ordinary people who do extraordinary things with National Lottery funding.” Yesterday we reported how the People’s Postcode Lottery have called for help in raising more for charity. Earlier this year a People’s Postcode Lottery grant pledged £3m over the next five years to Human Rights Watch. Long term funding of £312,086 was given to Brighton LGBTQ mental health charity MindOut by the Big Lottery Fund.National Lottery Awards nominees include para ice hockey team Sheffield Steelkings. They were founded in 2014 thanks to a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery and their formation was a godsend to David Scivill. He lost the use of his legs after a motorbike accident and subsequently his job as a car salesman. He shut himself away from the world but then asked Sheffield Ice Arena if they ever considered setting up a para ice hockey team. “Playing is such an adrenaline rush. It really gets you going. I look forward to it every week, I can’t wait.”A recent National Lottery survey showed that UK winners prefer to share wins with friends and charities. £161m EuroMillions winners Christine and Colin Weir helped make Partick Thistle FC debt free,Another nominee for the National Lottery Awards is Suited for Success which is run by Patricia White and is nominated in the education category. It helps clothe the unemployed and the homeless for job interviews. They have helped over 700 people rebuild their lives. Patricia says: “We restore pride and confidence and help clients regain the skills to find work. Please vote for us to help us make over more lives.”Play your favourite lottery online at Lottery24.com, it's quick and easy.