Christmas Lottery proceeds support local projects

Monday 13 May 2019

40 local projects have been chosen to receive funding from the 2018 Channel Islands Christmas Lottery.

Each year the proceeds from tickets sold in Guernsey are distributed to organisations in the island by the Association of Guernsey Charities.

Last year's reformatted draw raised £218,118 for good causes in the Bailiwick, with an increase of £28,000 compared with the previous year.

Following feedback, each ticket had a scratchcard with the chance to win up to £5,000 as well as four numbers which were entered into the draw. The ticket price was increased to £3 as a result.

"We are all very relieved and pleased that the changes to the 2018 Christmas Lottery had the desired effect and reversed the previous decline in Christmas Lottery profits," said AGC Chairman Malcolm Woodhams. "We know the success of the draw is vitally important to charities, as most are finding it harder to raise the funds they urgently need for their work.

Pictured: The proceeds are being distributed by the Association of Guernsey Charities.

"As usual, every application was read by all nine members of the AGC Council. The process is time consuming but thorough as we try to ensure that the money will be used to maximum effect throughout the community."

Last year the Association received 50 applications requesting a total of more than £1.3m.

The smallest grant of £400 was awarded to Wellbeing Animals Guernsey while the Guernsey Cheshire Home was given more than £26,000. Other charities being supported this year include Home Start Guernsey, Les Bourgs Hospice and the Youth Commission.

"We realise that charities take time to submit an application and tell us of their project and we thank everyone who applied," Mr Woodhams continued. "Over the coming months we look forward to hearing from the charities that received a grant with more details about how the money is being used and the success of their projects.

"On behalf of the charities we would like to thank everyone who supported and bought tickets for the traditional Christmas Draw, and the many retailers and outlets that help sell tickets. The Christmas Lottery is a true local institution. Whilst it offers a bit of festive fun for many, its true importance is the money raised and the amount of fantastic work it enables charities to undertake to help our communities."