MORE than £63million of National Lottery funding has been invested in Solihull since it began almost 25 years ago – according to figures released by National Lottery.
Thanks to players, lives of ordinary people have been transformed in Solihull over the past quarter of a century – say National Lottery.
More than 1,100 National Lottery grants have been awarded since 1994, helping to strengthen communities, power sports teams, protect the environment, unleash local creative talent and look after the elderly and those at risk.
In 2003 a large grant of £61,3905 went to Solihull Council for the regeneration of Meridan Park.
Most National Lottery grants, however, are for £10,000 or less.
A whopping £9,980 was awarded to the Entraide project, to recruit and train volunteers to create a befriending service for refugees.
Chelmsley Wood Stone Carvers was handed £9,910 to fund a series of stone carving workshops, mostly for older men, allowing them to take part in social activities which benefit their mental and physical wellbeing.
And £10,000 was given to Shard Fest to hire security, fencing, and staging in order to run a community festival.
Jonathan Tuchner, from the National Lottery, said: “Since its launch 25 years ago, The National Lottery has changed lives the length and breadth of the UK. As I walk around my neighbourhood, I’m astonished at how many projects and organisations the National Lottery has funded – from helping people who have mental health issues to keeping teenagers out of trouble with free after school clubs.
“It’s all down to local people who choose to do incredible things with National Lottery funding, changing their communities for the better, step by step. I look forward to what we can achieve together over the next 25 years.”
From today, any organisation that has received National Lottery funding, has the chance to gain nationwide acclaim by entering the 25th Birthday National Lottery Awards – our search for the UK’s favourite ever National Lottery-funded projects.
The winners will receive a £10,000 cash prize and national recognition at a glittering ceremony broadcast on BBC One later in the year.
To enter your favourite project complete an online entry form at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards
Entries must be received by midnight on 30 April 2019.
