The National Lottery Awards recognise the positive impact that Lottery-funded projects – both big and small – make to local communities. The semi-finalists from Scotland are (in alphabetical order):

• Annandale and Eskdale Sports Academy - competing for Best Sport Project
  Annandale and Eskdale Sports Academy in Dumfries & Galloway offers ‘come and try’ sporting opportunities and top quality coaching sessions enabling young people to achieve their potential and use sport to improve their confidence in other areas of life.
  To register your vote for Annandale and Eskdale Sports Academy call 0844 836 9720 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. 
• CLAN’s New Build Project – competing for Best Health Project
  The new, modern building in Aberdeen allows CLAN to support more people affected by cancer by helping them live with, and beyond, their cancer diagnosis through the CLAN Cancer Support Centre and CLAN Haven, its accommodation facility.
  To register your vote for Clan’s New Build Project call 0844 836 9704 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. 
• Conflux – competing for Best Arts Project
  Conflux in Glasgow aims to develop a voice for Scottish-based artists working in the field of physical performance, incorporating street arts, physical theatre and circus art.
  To register your vote for Conflux call 0844 836 9673 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. 
• Drumatik – competing for Best Arts Project
  Drumatik is an inclusive community drumming group based in the regeneration area of West Fife. Around 80 per cent of its members have a learning disability but Drumatik supports individual achievement, and proves that everyone, regardless of disability, can take part in the arts.
  To register your vote for Drumatik call 0844 836 9674 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. 
• Fonn Nam Fèis – competing for Best Arts Project
  Fonn Nam Fèis is a lifelong musical learning project run by charity, Fèis Rois, which enables adults to learn to play traditional Scottish music. The project is currently covering over 1,000 square miles so people living in rural communities, including adults living in care homes, now have access to regular music-making opportunities.
  To register your vote for Fonn Nam Fèis call 0844 836 9676 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. 
• The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust – competing for Best Voluntary/Charity Project
  The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust is now celebrating 10 years of successful community ownership and management of the island. The past decade has been prosperous for the island community with an investment in regeneration, energy efficiency and preserving the island’s heritage.
  To register your vote for The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust call 0844 836 9734 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. 
• Maryhill Burgh Halls – competing for Best Heritage Project
  This project in Glasgow has regenerated three derelict listed buildings in the heart of one of the most deprived areas in Scotland, giving a new focus for the local community. 
  To register your vote for Maryhill Burgh Halls call 0844 836 9715 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. 
• The Memory Exchange Project – competing for Best Heritage Project
  The Memory Exchange Project records the experiences of older people who may be isolated in the community, allowing them to share their memories, make friends and learn new skills. This chance to remain active and feel valued can have a profound effect on a person's ability to live an independent and fulfilled life in their own homes for longer.
  To register your vote for The Memory Exchange Project call 0844 836 9717 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. 
• New Explorations – competing for Best Health Project
  In Inverurie New Explorations has established a volunteer mentoring service with opportunities for paid employment, and voluntary activity for disabled people, as well as people with mental health problems.
  To register your vote for New Explorations call 0844 836 9706 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. 
• Riverside Museum – competing for Best Heritage Project
  In Glasgow, this project involved the creation of the Riverside Museum, Scotland's Museum of Transport and Travel, a replacement for the previous Museum of Transport, and a new home for the Clyde Maritime Trust and the historic tall ship Glenlee.
  To register your vote for Riverside Museum call 0844 836 9718 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. 
• TRACS – competing for Best Arts Project
  This Drake Music Scotland project in Edinburgh enables disabled people to create professional standard digital recordings of their own songs to share with families, friends, and the wider community through social networks. Participants gain a sense of empowerment and increased self-esteem from creating something for others to enjoy.
  To register your vote for TRACS call 0844 836 9679 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. 
• The Work Ahead Project – competing for Best Health Project
  Momentum Skills’ The Work Ahead Project offers a co-ordinated service for people with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). It works with individuals who have previously sustained an ABI to reduce isolation, improve confidence and independence by supporting them to understand the nature and consequence of brain injury and introduce strategies they may be able to utilise to self-manage their condition.  
  To register your vote for The Work Ahead Project call 0844 836 9709 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards.

There are seven categories in the Awards each reflecting the main areas of Lottery funding: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.  Each category has 10 semi-finalists.

People in Scotland are being urged to vote to help their favourite local project make it through to the final which is broadcast live on BBC One later this year. The winning project in each of the categories will receive national recognition at the star-studded event and a £2,000 cash prize  to spend on their project.

Actor John Barrowman supports the awards. He said: “So many lives are being changed by the unsung heroes working with National Lottery funding. The National Lottery Awards pay tribute to their selfless dedication. National Lottery players raise a massive £30 million a week for Good Causes across the UK. They should be proud that they are helping arts, sport, heritage and community groups near them. Now is the chance for everyone to vote for their local project so it gets national recognition."

Voting for the semi-finals has already started and ends at midday on Sunday 22 July. Please do not call before lines open as your vote will not be counted but you will be charged for the call. For more information or to cast a vote for any of the semi-finalists log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards.

Notes to editors
• Calls cost no more than 5p from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may vary, calls from mobiles could cost considerably more. Callers are advised to check with their telephone network provider to be certain of the cost. No profit will be made from the cost of the phone vote by The National Lottery
• All voting will be independently adjudicated and verified by Electoral Reform Services
Semi- Finals
• There are 10 projects in each of the seven categories
• The public can vote from 9am on Tuesday 26 June and any vote cast before midday on Sunday 22 July will be counted
• The three projects with the most votes in each category will go through to the final round of public voting
Finals
• There will be a total of 21 projects in the finals - three in each of the seven categories
• There will be only one winner in each category. The seven winners will be announced during a special BBC One television programme transmitted later in the year.

Further information
Please contact Claire Fleming at The National Lottery Awards on 0141 224 1414 or claire.fleming@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.