National Lottery Draw Show host and new mum, Jenni Falconer, is calling on people to nominate local Good Causes for the National Lottery Awards 2012 – the annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects. 

Since the National Lottery began in 1994, over £27billion has been invested in Good Causes across the UK. Jenni is encouraging any organisation - big or small - that has received Lottery funding to enter the Awards. 

Jenni says: “National Lottery players raise a staggering £30million every week for Good Causes. An impressive variety of Lottery-funded projects have touched the lives of many. For example, Lottery funding is supporting war veterans, helping vulnerable children and transforming parks and local sporting facilities. 

“The National Lottery Awards recognise the unsung heroes, selfless volunteers and dedicated workers improving lives with Lottery funding. There are literally thousands of Lottery-funded projects across the UK deserving of recognition. So if you know of a project that is making an outstanding impact in your community, we want to hear from you.”  

The entrants that make it to the finals of The National Lottery Awards will receive national recognition at a star-studded event, broadcast on BBC One, later this year. They will also have a chance to win a £2,000 cash prize*.

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

If you want to see a project celebrated in this year’s National Lottery Awards, or you are involved with a Lottery-funded project and want to enter it, visit www.nationallotteryawards.org.uk to find out more.  Entries must be received by Monday 26 March 2012.

Notes to editors

* The £2,000 is a cash prize for winners to spend on their project; it is not a Lottery grant

 

• The National Lottery Awards open for entries at 9am on Tuesday 7 February. The deadline for entries is Friday 26 March
• Any organisation that has received National Lottery funding is eligible to enter 
• Projects that are nominated must complete The National Lottery Awards 2012 entry form 
• Shortlisted projects will compete in two rounds of public voting later in the year to determine the winner. All voting will be independently verified
• Since The National Lottery began in 1994, Lottery players have raised over £27billion for Good Causes and over 370,000 grants have been awarded across the UK

Further information

Please contact Sarah Myers at the National Lottery Promotions Unit on 0141 242 1414 / 07825 823 945 or email sarah.myers@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.