Community projects across UK in line to win share of £3m National Lottery cash

EVERY time you buy a National Lottery ticket, you are helping to change lives.

Each week, The National Lottery provides £30million to good causes large and small, and so far more than 500,000 projects have received funding, helping millions of people in the UK.

And now you have the chance to decide how The National Lottery cash is spent in YOUR area.

The Big Lottery Fund has once again teamed up with The National Lottery, ITV and STV, to give you a say in how £3million will be shared out to help transform lives and communities across the UK through The People’s Projects.

It is a brilliant opportunity to vote for a project where you live to receive a vital cash boost, giving it the funds it needs to help even more people.

Since 2005, when the initiative was known as The People’s Millions, The People’s Projects has helped award £36million to 770 good causes across the UK.

Now another 95 projects across the UK have been shortlisted for the chance to win up to £50,000 to take their work to a new level. This week, STV will broadcast a special The People’s Projects programme presented by David Farrell on Saturday, March 25 at 2.30pm.

And you will be able to vote for your favourite until noon on Monday, April 3.

Three winners in each region will receive up to £50,000, with discretionary awards of up to £5,000 for the runners-up.

Every vote is crucial, so make sure you go online at thepeoplesprojects.org.uk and have your say. It is a great chance to help inspirational people making a real difference in your community. Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh is in no doubt about her favourite part of The People’s Projects – the moment the winners receive their National Lottery prize.

“My absolute favourite part is seeing the cheques being presented,” she says. “Some people are so overwhelmed it can be very emotional. You often get people jumping up and down and having tears of joy running down their faces.”

But Ranvir, who is this year’s ITV Ambassador to The People’s Projects, also explains that taking part is about more than money for the projects involved.

She adds: “One of the great things about The People’s Projects is that, regardless of whether they win or not, the projects engage with the local community and it raises their profile in their areas. “Even those that haven’t won have fed back that the process has been really worthwhile – and enjoyable. The projects put an incredible amount of work into their campaigns and we know they get a lot from the public support.”

Ranvir, 39, is the political editor on Good Morning Britain, and one of the country’s favourite news and current affairs presenters on STV shows including Tonight and Real Stories.

She says she learned the value of strong community spirit growing up in Lancashire.

“I’m a northern lass from Preston,” she says. “My memories are of a very friendly area where neighbours looked out for one another. I think that is really important when you are growing up to have a strong network of people looking out for you.” And she believes The People’s Projects is proof that our community spirit is strong.

She adds: “Through The People’s Projects you can see passion and dedication to community the length and breadth of the UK. One of the great things about this initiative is that it showcases what ordinary people are doing to make a difference to their areas – often with dramatically powerful results.

“I love seeing so many good works going on up and down the country. The thing about The People’s Projects is it is helping people in their communities help themselves. The projects put in so much work to improve the lives of people that it is wonderful for them to be given the money to make their dreams come true.”