St Albans District Community Lottery celebrates its 2nd anniversary: 80,000 tickets sold, £40,000 raised, 40 community groups benefitting
St Albans District Community Lottery is celebrating its 2nd birthday this month – having raised £40,000 for good causes so far.
The online lottery was set up by St Albans City and District Council to give local charities and community groups an exciting fund-raising opportunity.
Since April 2022, around 80,000 tickets have been sold to more than 700 players who have shared in excess of £10,000 in winnings.
Tickets cost only £1 each with 50p going to a good cause of the player’s choosing. Another 10p goes towards the Council’s Community Grants Fund to support the delivery of projects and activities that benefit the community and meet its priorities.
Forty good causes have signed up to the lottery and they encourage supporters to buy tickets, so they can donate while also having the chance to win a cash prize in a weekly draw.
Causes include organisations involved in promoting mental health and wellbeing, sports and recreational clubs, educational services and community centres.
The draw has cash prizes of £25, £250, £2,000 and a £25,000 jackpot as well as three free tickets.
Chris Traill, the Council's Strategic Director for Community and Place Delivery, said:
It is hugely impressive that the lottery has raised £40,000 already.
It has made a significant impact in the community, enabling dozens of our good local causes to find a new source of funding for their projects and activities.
We are delighted the community lottery has become so well established and reached this milestone 2nd anniversary.
There is, of course, considerable scope for it to grow further and I urge other good causes across the District to sign up to the lottery and encourage their supporters to buy tickets.
Among the good causes is the St Albans-based Trestle Theatre Company whose creative project manager Karene Horner-Hughes said:
The funding from the District Lottery has allowed us to continue to support our local community in ensuring Trestle School of Drama is accessible to all.
Our mission is to enable anyone who is passionate about drama to find a fun and friendly place to create and share theatre.
Participating in the lottery has enabled us to create bursary places for those in need, enabling more young people to access our work. Each ticket purchased goes directly to supporting these bursaries, which ensures we can provide a safe and creative space for all, regardless of their background or financial circumstances.
Other good causes include Harpenden Colts FC, Redbourn Community Group, St Albans Action for Homeless and Sopwell Residents Association.
You can find a full list, together with details of how to take part in the lottery at its website here.
Players must be aged 18 or over and are encouraged to play responsibly.
Media Contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.