Community lottery raises nearly £50k in first year

So far, 68 local groups have signed up as part of a fun and effective way to raise funds for their valued services in the community.

Five of these groups (Norwich Door to Door, Taverham Band, Reepham and District Rotary Club, Whitwell Hall, and Aylsham Community Gym) helped the Council celebrate the lottery's first birthday alongside Councillors at a small gathering at Thorpe Lodge last week, where £500 was given away in a raffle draw to be shared between two Community at Heart Lottery good causes.

The MS Society Norwich & District Group and Aylsham St Giles Cricket Club each received £250 to support their work.

During the event, Cllr Trudy Mancini-Boyle, Deputy Leader of Broadland District Council also announced that Broadland District Council would further help its registered good causes by offering bespoke social media training session at Carrowbreck House, free of charge, to help them grow their membership and supporters.

Broadland's Community at Heart Lottery gives players the chance to win weekly cash prizes up to the £25,000 jackpot for just £1 per ticket. Fifty per cent of the £1 ticket goes directly to a good cause of the player's choice and a further 10% goes to Broadland Community Fund, which provides start-up grants for people wanting to form a new community group.

Broadland District Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Trudy Mancini-Boyle, said: “I’m delighted the lottery has made a real difference to Broadland residents in its first year, and it’s fantastic to see so many people getting behind this fun way to raise much-need funds.”

One of the causes in attendance was Norwich Door To Door. Its Funding and Community Engagement Manager, Kathleen Shirley, said: “Funds raised ensure our buses get out on the road and that beneficiaries remain actively involved in their communities. By getting people out of their homes, the charity helps relieve loneliness, improves wellbeing and encourages independence”. ”

Taverham Band also joined in the celebrations at Thorpe Lodge. The band's Jim Hamshaw said: "During the pandemic the band was, effectively, 'mothballed' for almost two years. The lottery has helped greatly in the short term by way of 'keeping the lights on' as far as continuing outgoings were concerned when engagement income was nil.”

Not-for-profit groups that benefit Broadland residents can sign up to be part of the lottery for FREE at any time via our lottery website. As well as receiving 50% of the profits from ticket they sell, they also receive marketing materials and get their own Community at Heart Lottery web page.

Pictured: (L-R) Cllr Fran Whymark, Cllr Trudy Mancini-Boyle (Deputy Leader of Broadland District Council), Cllr Roger Foulger (Chairman of Broadland District Council) and Cllr Jo Copplestone.