Good causes funded to the tune of £80m over the last 10 years
The People’s Postcode Lottery has smashed its fundraising expectations by reaching the £80 million mark for good causes in Britain and beyond, it has been announced.
Figures showing its success were released to coincide with the charity lottery's 10th anniversary since its first draw took place on the 31 August 2005.
Players’ postcodes are randomly selected in a weekly draw allowing entire communities to win together with 27.5% awarded to charities and good causes from every £2 ticket.
Over 1,500 national and local grassroots projects have been supported and over 95% of postcodes across Great Britain have a benefitting charity in their region.
Some of the well-known charities that have received funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery include Missing People, Depaul, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
Clara Govier, head of charities at People's Postcode Lottery, said, "Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, thousands of awards have been made to charities and good causes across Great Britain and internationally. In challenging times for the charitable and voluntary sector, we are very proud that our players are to be able to help make such a difference and help fund charities that need support. Who knows how much more our players can raise in the next years. ”
Cancer support charity Maggie’s, which has been supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery since the launch have benefited from over £3.6 million in support.
Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie’s, said, “Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have made an amazing contribution to Maggie’s awarding a total so far of £3.6 million towards the continuing development of Maggie’s network of Centres.
"This funding supports the unique programme of practical, emotional and social support the Centres offer to people with cancer and their family and friends.
“At the heart of every Maggie’s Centre is a big kitchen table and chatting together over a cup of tea is an important part of the social support that centres offer – today I will be raising a celebratory cup of tea to People’s Postcode Lottery and saying thank you to the players!”
The concept of People’s Postcode Lottery was a format already successful in Holland, where a similar lottery has operated since 1989. Combined, postcode lotteries in Holland, Sweden and Great Britain have raised over £470m for charity.
