More than £1.7 million of National Lottery funding shared across St Helens in 2012 (From St Helens Star)

More than £1.7 million of National Lottery funding shared across St Helens in 2012

8:00am Saturday 16th February 2013 in News

COMMUNITY causes in St Helens picked up more than £1.7 million of National Lottery funding in 2012, according to figures.

Some 50 grants were awarded across the borough giving a shot in the arm to local arts, sport and heritage projects and community groups helping the area’s most vulnerable people.

Over the past year, Lottery grants have included:

• £1,620 to the St Helens Bereavement Service to train a team of new volunteers to provide befriending and counselling for people who have been bereaved
• £6,795 to the 16th St Thomas Scout Group so that they can purchase new camping equipment
• £9,265 to Photographic Minds St Helens which provides people with mental health problems with photography skills workshops to boost their self esteem and confidence

Now these projects, and any organisation which has received Lottery funding in the last 18 years, have a chance to gain national recognition for their work as the National Lottery Awards 2013 open for entries.

John Barrowman, presenter of last year’s National Lottery Awards show, said: “The National Lottery raises £30 million a week for Good Causes and the Awards are a great way of celebrating the life changing difference these projects make to communities.

“National Lottery players in St Helens should be proud of the difference they are making to people in the area. The National Lottery Awards recognise the unsung heroes, dedicated workers and selfless volunteers making great use of Lottery funding. If you know of a Lottery-funded organisation that deserves to be nominated, we want to hear from you.”

The National Lottery Awards have seven categories – each reflecting an area of Lottery funding: Sport; Heritage; Arts; Environment; Health; Education; and Voluntary/Charity.

The winners of The National Lottery Awards will receive a £2,000 cash prize and national recognition at a star-studded event broadcast on BBC One later this year.

If you want to see a project from St Helens celebrated in this year’s National Lottery Awards, visit nationallottery awards.org.uk to find out more or call 0207 293 3599.

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 9am on March 19.