Shortlist Announced for the 2017 National Lottery People’s Projects
Last Updated: Thursday 24th September 2020, 11:02
The shortlist for the 2017 National Lottery People’s Projects vote was announced this morning and 95 good causes across the country will battle it out to secure up to £50,000 of funding when the polls open to the public on Monday.
The annual partnership between the Big Lottery Fund, which distributes cash from lottery games to groups that improve lives in their communities, and TV channels ITV and STV has been supporting causes in this way since 2005 and has helped out 770 projects to the tune of £36 million since its inception.
For every £1 spent on National Lottery tickets, 28p is diverted to the Good Causes Fund, which is then divided up into different worthy categories, with decisions on the groups that receive the funding usually made by a selection of official bodies. The People’s Projects allows the UK public to have their say on where a significant portion of the kitty is spent.
Voters can select their favourite project in each of the country’s ITV regions, with the top three in each area receiving their full grant of up to £50,000. Runners up may also receive a payment of up to £5,000 at the discretion of organisers.
Some of the projects shortlisted include:
- Growing Together - the Leeds-based Cross Green Community Group brings together locals to grow and eat fresh fruit and vegetables at the same time as developing new friendships.
- Transforming Young Lives: Canine Assisted Therapy and Autism - this project hopes to expand its services, allowing more young people with autism in Colchester in Essex to be paired with dogs, helping them interact with others.
- Food for the Soul - this group offers long-term catering work placements to disadvantaged young people and adults at the Olive Branch, a social enterprise cafe located in Dromore, Co Down.
Voting opens at 9am on Monday 20th March and closes at noon on Monday 3rd April, with winners being announced during the early evening regional ITV news bulletins on Thursday 6th April.
As well as raising vital cash for charities, players also have the opportunity to pick up some huge lottery prizes this week, with a septuple-rollover Lotto jackpot of £19.2 million on Saturday being preceded by Friday’s £14 million EuroMillions top prize. You can choose your EuroMillions numbers online now for your chance to become a multimillionaire.