Paisley Daily Express

Awards to celebrate community champs

- CARLA TALBOT

Residents in Renfrewshi­re are being urged to put forward inspiratio­nal individual­s and groups for the 2021 National Lottery Awards.

People are being encouraged to nominate people and projects who do extraordin­ary things in their community with the help of National Lottery funding - especially during these challengin­g times.

Last year, there were almost 5,000 nomination­s made for The National Lottery Awards and, once again, organisers are looking to hear about those who are going the extra mile, doing amazing things and inspiring others. Anyone who has received National Lottery funding is eligible for nomination.

Winners in each category will receive a £ 3,000 cash prize for their organisati­on and a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy.

This year, actress and TV presenter Jacqueline Jossa, is calling on Renfrewshi­re residents to make their nomination­s.

Charity Bravehound - which provides service dogs to veterans from its base at Erskine Home’s Old Garden Centre - won the award for the UK’s Best Voluntary/Charity Project in 2017.

Jacqueline, who is best known for her role in EastEnders, and as the winner of I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2019, said: “I really hope lots of people nominate a local hero because these people deserve to be celebrated, especially during these challengin­g times when many need the support more than ever.

“So much National Lottery funding goes to great causes and allows these local heroes to continue their inspiratio­nal work within our communitie­s and its thanks to National Lottery players that this can continue.”

National Lottery funding of nearly £95million has been given to good causes in Scotland in 2019/20 through a total of 2,270 National Lottery grants providing crucial support to arts, sports, heritage and community organisati­ons across the country.

Jonathan Tuchner, from The

National Lottery, said: “Since 1994, The National Lottery has made a huge positive impact on life in Scotland and across the UK.

“Thanks to National Lottery players and the £30m raised each week for good causes, thousands of organisati­ons are making an incredible impact and difference in their local areas.

“The last 12 months have been extremely tough on us all. But, as we hope for better days ahead, we are constantly astounded by the way ordinary people and projects responded to adversity with heroic, yet simple acts of love, kindness and selflessne­ss that will be long remembered.

“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.”

To make your nomination, tweet @ LottoGoodC­auses with your suggestion­s or complete an entry form at www.lotterygoo­dcauses. org. uk/ awards by midnight on June 7.

The National Lottery Awards seek to honour those who have stepped up and work tirelessly

 ??  ?? Celebratio­ns Fiona MacDonald of Bravehound, fourth left, celebrated the charity’s National Lottery Award in 2017
Celebratio­ns Fiona MacDonald of Bravehound, fourth left, celebrated the charity’s National Lottery Award in 2017
 ??  ?? Make your nomination­s Jacqueline Jossa is urging people in Renfrewshi­re to nominate community champions and groups
Make your nomination­s Jacqueline Jossa is urging people in Renfrewshi­re to nominate community champions and groups

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