Borough's £3.4m lotto gifts

A total of 51 grants were given out in the borough during 2016; boosting arts, sports and heritage projects alongside community groups helping those in need.

A wide variety of local projects received National Lottery grants last year, including:

l £484,318 to Women for Well Women to provide counselling, advocacy and support to vulnerable women and girls;

l £401,792 to Wigan Athletic FC Community Trust for access to physical and leisure activities to young people aged eight to 19;

l £10,000 to Wigan and Leigh Pensioners Link to help older people maintain a healthy lifestyle.

From today, these examples, or any organisation that has ever received Lottery funding, has the possibility of gaining nationwide acclaim by entering The National Lottery Awards 2017. Winners will receive a £3,000 prize and national recognition at a glittering ceremony broadcast on BBC One.

Lottery Awards show presenter John Barrowman said: “The National Lottery Awards are a fabulous celebration of the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects as voted for by the public. The awards put the focus on ordinary people doing extraordinary things with National Lottery funding, whose efforts go such a long way and are indeed changing lives.”

The awards cover seven categories: sport, heritage, arts, environment, health, education and voluntary/charity. There is also a special achievement award recognising the outstanding contribution made by an individual to improving the lives of others. To nominate a project tweet @LottoGoodCauses or call 0207 293 3329 by April 7.