Local charities given helping hand with lottery funds
Sustainable Shrivenham and Abingdon Music Centre are two of 10 local charities whose community work has received a boost of unrestricted funding thanks to the White Horse Community Lottery.
Marking its third anniversary this month (July) since its launch by Vale of White Horse District Council, the lottery has raised £82,975 and helped local organisations, voluntary and charitable groups who are committed to supporting our communities and natural environment.
Players of the lottery can choose a good cause they wish to support including the White Horse Community Fund, resulting in £13,000 to be distributed to good causes selling 20 tickets or more a week.
Sustainable Shrivenham, who run a community hub and repair workshop aim to inspire and enable people to make more sustainable choices in everyday life received £1,209.
Kate Myrie, Co-chair, Sustainable Shrivenham said: “The funds we receive from the lottery are a great boost to our regular income and we’re delighted with this additional fund, which will pay for us to transform our repair workshop area.
“This will be a huge improvement for the space and allows our brilliant repair volunteers to work safely and comfortably every month as well as allow us to use the space for workshops and other activities in between.”
Abingdon Music Centrereceived £618 to help with their work to give people opportunities to make music, whatever their age or experience. They also run music groups for babies and preschoolers, school-age children and adults.
Frances David, Director of Abingdon Music Centre said: “We’re thrilled to be selected as part of the distribution of extra funds for our cause. The money will go towards music and resources for our groups enabling us to engage with a wide repertoire of music.
“It will also help go towards costs of venue hire and concert events. We are so dependent upon fundraising outlets, and this will have such a positive impact on the daily running of Abingdon Music Centre.”
Cllr Helen Pighills, Cabinet Member for Community Health and Wellbeing, Vale of White Horse District Council said: “Through giving funding to local good causes the community lottery continues to fulfil its purpose to connect community groups with supporters and help people support the causes they care about most.
“I’m delighted we can support these organisations and help provide them with this vital boost so they can help more people in our local communities. Thank you to all our lottery supporters for buying tickets and supporting the amazing work these organisations do for people.
Lottery prizes range from free prize draw entries to a weekly £25,000 jackpot. Tickets cost just £1 with 60p from every ticket sold going to support charities and community groups across the district.
See our website whitehorsedc.gov.uk/white-horse-community-lottery for more information on how organisations can join the lottery and how residents can support good causes in the district.