A £2million National Lottery fund has opened today (Saturday) to celebrate the National Lottery’s 25th Birthday, with thousands of grants available to anyone with a great idea to bring their community together.
Designed to help communities across the UK join in with The National Lottery’s 25-year birthday celebrations, the £2million fund from The National Lottery – called #CelebrateNationalLottery25 – is open to anyone with a great idea to make a difference in their local community.
The fund offers anyone the chance to win £1,000 to make their idea a reality – and showing that no individual or idea is too small to make a big difference in their community. People on the Isle of Wight are being urged to apply.
Thanks to National Lottery players, lives of ordinary people have already been transformed in the UK over the past quarter of a century.
It is hoped that the fund will boost community spirit across the UK and appeal to individuals who might not previously considered applying for National Lottery funding.
Jon Eastwood, Senior Head of Regional Funding at The National Lottery Community Fund, responsible for distributing around £12m a week to good causes, said:
“For 25 years The National Lottery has been helping communities to thrive in every corner of the UK – from inner cities to rural villages, and everywhere in between. That’s why the fund, #CelebrateNationalLottery25, is to say happy birthday and to empower anyone and everyone to make their idea for their community a reality.”
Academy Award winners Aardman teamed up with The National Lottery to release a film to celebrate the fund. Known for their unique animation techniques, the creators of Wallace and Gromit have designed a range of diverse and inclusive characters representing people and communities that reflect the modern UK, with a surprise cameo from stand-up comedian James Acaster who voices one of the characters.
The animation shows what 4 people would do if they had £1,000 to use in their community. The script was informed by qualitative research from members of the public across the UK, featuring young people hosting a party to bring neighbours of all generations together, and older people hiring a café to fill with memorabilia to help stimulate memories for those living with dementia.
#CelebrateNationalLottery25 opens to applications from Saturday 23rd November at 08:00, until Friday 6th December. Whether it’s a wheelchair lift for a dial-a-ride minivan, a set of events at your local library or even a llama visit to a primary school, The National Lottery wants to hear your great ideas.
Everyone who submits an application will be entered into the lottery draw, which will take place after the deadline closes at 14:00 on Friday 6th December 2019. Applications will go through a checking process to ensure that the idea being funded is eligible and that the money will be used as intended.
A further £5.5million will be released to grassroots community groups next year through The National Lottery Community Fund’s popular Awards For All scheme.
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