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Allerdale community lottery goes from strength to strength

Jonathan Irving

Jonathan Irving

Posted on 01 June 2021

Allerdale Borough Council’s community lottery goes from strength to strength in its first six months, benefitting community groups throughout the borough and providing prizes to many lucky winners.

The council is now looking to build on this success by encouraging more organisations to sign-up and more people to buy tickets and show their support for local good causes. 

Allerdale and Lakeland Lottery was set up late in 2020 to help community groups and charitable organisations raise much-needed financial support. 

It costs just £1 per game to play and participants could win up to £25,000 as part of the weekly draw. 

However, the focus of the lottery is very much on helping the good causes. For every ticket bought, supporters can choose to provide 50p towards a charity or group of their choice which is registered with the scheme. A further 10p goes towards a general fund for other good causes in Allerdale. 

Already the lottery paid out £18,000 to local causes and is on course to raise over £44,000 in its first year. It has around 770 players who have bought more than 1,400 tickets. 

There are 71 causes signed up to the lottery from all walks of life. They range from nature conservation groups, school friend groups, scout groups, theatres and heritage charities, as well as sports clubs and even a chess club.  

Every week all tickets are entered into the national draw and already many of the supporters have won prizes ranging from three extra tickets to one lucky winner who scooped £2,000.

The council is now hoping to see more local charities and community organisations benefit from the lottery, and is encouraging more supporters to buy tickets. The great thing about the community lottery is that supporters can choose which local organisation to support and the cause revenue money stays in the local community. 

And to encourage more ticket sales, there is currently an added bonus of a prize draw from Boxxfresh. All entries bought before the 26 June will be entered into a draw for a chance to win one of three tasty national prizes of 12 monthly fruit and veg boxes delivered to your door. 

To buy tickets, or sign up as a good cause, go to the lottery website at: https://www.allerdalelottery.com/.

Cllr Marion Fitzgerald, Executive member with responsibility for policy, governance and people resources, said:

“I’m delighted by the success of the Allerdale and Lakeland Lottery in its first six months. The figures speak for themselves and I’d like to thank all the supporters and causes who have put in so much effort to get to where we are today. 

“Community groups and organisations need financial support now more than ever, and this is a great way for them to help raise that cash. If you are a local not-for-profit organisation and have not already signed up please don't miss this fantastic opportunity to join the lottery. 

“It's free and easy to register, you get your own lottery page and lots of personalised marketing material and advice. Then all you need to do is shout about your page to your supporters, who will really appreciate having the opportunity to support a local good cause they feel strongly about! And who knows, you may even win some money – or a year’s worth of fruit and veg.”