£1 Million in Lottery funds to area in 2015

Newly revealed figures show that more than £1.3 million of National Lottery funding was awarded across the Scottish Borders last year alone.

In all, 63 Lottery grants were given out in the Scottish Borders during 2015; providing a vital boost to arts, sports and heritage projects alongside community groups helping those most in need.

A wide variety of local projects received National Lottery grants last year, across the Borders.

The Highway Day Nursery in Eyemouth was awards £2,200 for the purpose of buying new equipment and to support their activity programme.

Over in Jedburgh, there was an award of £2,400 to the Jedforest Rugby Football Club, which was put towards converting an old garage into a gym for the players’ use.

Meanwhile, funding to the tune of £1,800 was donated to the Kelso Scout group, which went towards cooking equipment and food hygiene courses.

Also in Kelso, the town’s Wheelers got in on the excitement sparked when this year’s cycling Tour of Britain passed through the Borders.

Kelso Wheelers Cycling Club were given £6,700, to help create a network of cycle trails through local forest plantations.

From this week, these examples, or any organisation that has ever received National Lottery funding, also have the possibility of gaining nationwide acclaim by entering The National Lottery Awards 2016.

National Lottery Awards winners will receive a £3,000 cash prize and national recognition at a glittering ceremony broadcast on BBC One in October.

John Barrowman, presenter of last year’s National Lottery Awards show, said: “The National Lottery Awards offer an unmissable opportunity to give outstanding projects their time to shine. If you can think of a great Lottery-funded project, please nominate them for an Award.

“All these fantastic projects are funded by National Lottery players - every one of you should feel proud to raise an astounding £34 million a week, which provides much needed support to such life-changing work.”

National Lottery Awards are given across seven categories; Sport, Heritage, Arts, Environment, Health, Education and Voluntary/Charity, to reflect the range of funding that the Lottery gives out.

If you wish to nominate your favourite project in this year’s National Lottery Awards, tweet @LottoGoodCauses with your suggestions or call 0207 293 3599 to find out more and to enter. Entries must be received by midnight on 9 March 2016.