Last chance to nominate in the search to find...

The countdown is on for people in East London to nominate their favourite local Lottery-funded project for The National Lottery Awards 2010.

The National Lottery is encouraging all projects in East London, and the thousands like them across the UK that have received Lottery funding in the past 15 years, to enter the Awards and gain recognition for their work. However, time is running out as all completed entries must be in by 5pm on Friday 12 February 2010.

Former Coronation Street actress, Sally Lindsay, is supporting The National Lottery Awards 2010. She says: “Lottery players raise £25 million every week for projects both large and small, which are benefiting people, places and communities all across the UK. These Awards are the annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects and are an opportunity to highlight just some of the fantastic work that is being done with that money, as well as recognising the dedication of the people behind the projects who are making a difference in their communities.

Sally continues: “The deadline for entries is drawing closer so if a Lottery-funded project has had a positive impact on your local area, made a real difference to your life or if you are personally involved with a project that is transforming your community with the help of Lottery funding, then now is your last chance to nominate.”

The entrants that make it to the finals of The National Lottery Awards will appear on a star-studded prime-time BBC1 TV show later this year. They will also have a chance to win a £2,000 cash prize.

Tower Hamlets Summer University (THSU), which offers a year-round programme of free educational and vocational courses to young people across London aged 11 to 25, won a National Lottery Award last year. Sarah Davies, Executive Director of THSU is joining Sally in encouraging local people to nominate projects for this year’s Awards. She says: “Winning our category in The National Lottery Awards last year was a great experience. It helped us to raise our profile, engage with the public and celebrate the work that we do. The support we received from the public was fantastic."

The Awards have seven categories - each reflecting an area of Lottery funding: Sport; Heritage; Arts; Environment; Voluntary/Charity (in association with Woman magazine), Health and Education. So if you want to see a winner from East London in one or more of these categories in 2010 call 020 7324 4366 to make your nomination or visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.

-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Sue Asbury at the National Lottery Promotions Unit on 020 7211 3991 or email sue.asbury@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

Notes to Editors:
• Any Lottery-funded project or organisation is eligible to enter the Awards
• Projects that are nominated must complete the National Lottery Awards 2010 entry form to be eligible
• Now in their seventh year, The National Lottery Awards recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects – both large and small - make to communities across the UK, and celebrate the difference that the people behind them are making
• Successful entries will compete in a public vote. All voting will be independently verified
• Shortlisted projects will go through to the finals where the winners in each category will be announced on a special BBC1 TV show later this year. Winning entrants will receive a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project
• Photographs of last year’s Award winners and the Awards show are available on request
• Since The National Lottery began in 1994, Lottery players have raised over £24 billion for Good Causes, an average of £25 million a week, and over 330,000 grants have been made to projects across the UK
• For more information on The National Lottery Good Causes or the Awards visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk