People’s Postcode Lottery gala was attended by HRH Prince Charles and Sir David Attenborough
The amount of money given to charities by the People’s Postcode Lottery almost doubled last year, the organisation has revealed.
Throughout 2016 it distributed £66.3 million to good causes, a massive £27m more than in 2015.
The charity lottery announced the total at its annual gala held in Edinburgh last night (Tuesday).
The amount it has donated since it was launched in 2005 now stands at £168.4m.
Guests of honour at the event at Prestonfield House were HRH Prince Charles and Sir David Attenborough.
Sir David was there to accept a cheque for £250,000 on behalf of conservation charity Fauna & Flora International, which he is vice-president of, and addressed the gala as one of its main speakers.
He said the award would help his organisation reach more people to engage them about its work.
He added: “Over its 113-year history, Fauna & Flora International has saved species from extinction and habitats from destruction.
“Raising FFI’s profile as a leading conservation organisation will enable them to further educate and encourage people, businesses and governments to behave more sustainably.
“I’m thrilled that the award from players of People’s Postcode Lottery will help them gain new supporters and join forces with them to stop biodiversity decline.”
Elsewhere on the night, three winners of the People’s Postcode Lottery’s £2.5m Dream Fund were announced.
Story Starters, a joint project between national children’s literacy charity Beanstalk, the Imagination Library and The University of Liverpool scooped £1m to ensure children start primary school able to read well, regardless of their background.
A further £1m was awarded to the From Surviving to Thriving project – a joint project between the British Red Cross, the Refugee Council and UpRising. It aims to ensure all asylum-seeking children in the UK are safe and cared for.
Money Mechanics, a project between MyBnk, a financial enterprise charity, The Royal Association for Deaf people and The Royal London Society for Blind People, was awarded £532,000 to equip deaf, blind and partially-sighted young people aged 16-25 with financial and life skills.
Clara Govier, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Our gala is such a special time in People’s Postcode Lottery’s calendar where we come together and celebrate the incredible amount of money raised by our players and the fantastic work carried out by the supported charities as a result of the support.
“We continue to be overwhelmed by the incredible support of our players and thank them for their funding.”
Other guests at the event included broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan and TV presenter Fiona Philips. Entertainment on the night was provided by Mica Paris and Soul Nation.
