New figures show that £8.7 million of National Lottery funding went to projects in Wrexham and Flintshire in 2020/21.
The figures were released to mark the launch of this year’s National Lottery Awards, and they showed that a total of 192 National Lottery grants were allocated in this period, providing crucial support to arts, sports, heritage and community organisations in Wrexham and Flintshire.
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The National Lottery Awards are an annual celebration of inspirational individuals and groups who do extraordinary things in their community with the help of National Lottery funding.
More than 1,500 people and projects were nominated for last year’s National Lottery Awards, and now the search is on once again for 2022’s nominees.
The National Lottery is looking to highlight the exceptional work of local heroes who have gone the extra mile and made a difference in their community.
Last year Katherine Hughes, a volunteer, and the Secretary of Caerphilly Miners' Centre for the Community (The Miners), was crowned as the UK winner in the Community and Charity category for her voluntary efforts and as one of the driving forces behind saving the historic local landmark for future generations.
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Wales’ gold medal Olympic boxing champion, Lauren Price, was crowned Olympian of the Year following her exploits in Tokyo.
The Green Valley Conservation and Heritage project in Abercynon, which uses gardening and nature to improve employability skills and wellbeing, was named as the 2021 National Lottery Wales Project of the Year.
Kelly Brook, who is leading the hunt for this year’s favourite National Lottery-funded people and projects, said: “It’s a real honour to be supporting this year’s National Lottery Awards, which highlight inspirational champions all over the UK.
“There are so many people up and down the country working tirelessly to make a difference in their communities, so it’s really important that we take a step back and recognise that.
“I hope lots of people put forward their nominations, because there are so many who deserve one of these awards.
“It’s thanks to National Lottery players that so much funding goes towards helping these local heroes carry out their vital work.”
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Jonathan Tuchner, from the National Lottery, added: “The National Lottery has continued to make an incredible contribution to life in the UK ever since it was first established in 1994.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, an incredible £30 million of funding is raised for good causes every single week.
“The National Lottery Awards seek to honour those who have stepped up and work tirelessly on behalf of others. We want to thank them and celebrate their incredible efforts.”
The National Lottery Awards will seek to celebrate outstanding individuals in the following categories:
• Community/Charity
• Art, Culture & Film
• Sport
• Heritage
• Environment (A new addition for 2022)
• Young Hero (Under 25s)
Winners of these categories are chosen by a judging panel made up of members of the National Lottery family and partners and will receive a £5,000 cash prize in addition to an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy.
Any projects that have benefitted from National Lottery funding are also eligible to enter the Project of the Year category.
The nominees will be whittled down to 16 finalists, with a UK-wide public vote in September deciding the winner.
To make your nomination for this year’s National Lottery Awards, tweet @LottoGoodCauses with your suggestions or complete an entry form through our website www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. Entries must be received by midnight on 1 June, 2022.
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