Local causes to benefit from new Welsh lottery
GRASSROOTS community causes in Wales could be in for a £5m pay day thanks to the new Welsh lottery.
The grant-making charity responsible for distributing the funds raised by Loteri Cymru aims to hand out that amount over the next five years.
Hanfod Cymru will be outlining its ambitions today at the Pierhead in Cardiff Bay following Friday’s announcement about the weekly televised lottery for Wales.
It will have a £25,000 jackpot, with tickets going on sale on April 10 ahead of the first draw on April 28.
Deris Williams, who chairs the charity’s trustees, will detail the ambitious aim to support grassroots community charities throughout Wales.
She will stress the importance of the new funding stream’s exclusive focus on Wales, saying that it is traditionally under-supported.
Hanfod Cymru’s interim chief executive Marc Phillips will also reveal that a minimum of 20% of Loteri Cymru gross ticket-sale proceeds will be channelled to good causes in Wales.
Applications are being invited for the initial small grants programme, up to £10,000, and further grant programmes, for projects up to £75,000 and beyond, will be made available later in the year.
Mr Phillips said: “Hanfod Cymru will be dedicated to supporting initiatives that make a tangible difference in local communities the length and breadth of Wales, many of which can struggle to find funding to support their activities.”
Loteri Cymru CIC chairman Gareth Davies said: “The whole basis of Loteri Cymru is to create a win-win for the people and places of Wales, where individuals can afford to try their luck at winning a life-enhancing jackpot and their local communities benefit, too.”
Loteri Cymru will offer a weekly jackpot of £25,000. Tickets cost £1 and winners will need to match five of 39 drawn numbers. Smaller, prizes will also be up for grabs for matching fewer numbers.
Every ticket – unless it has scooped the jackpot – will be entered free into Loto+, a monthly raffle offering 10 guaranteed £1,000 prizes. The first Loto+ draw will also take place on April 28.