Several local charities and good causes, that benefitted from the Bracknell Forest Lotteryโs central fund distribution, came together last week โ celebrating the lotteryโs third birthday.
To mark the occasion, the recipients gathered with council staff in Time Square for an evening of speeches, networking, and a slice of birthday cake. Many representatives gave short speeches about how the lottery has helped them, particularly during a time greatly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
Over the last three years, 60 per cent from each ticket sold has gone to support good causes in Bracknell Forest. Last month the overall amount raised went above ยฃ100,000.
A total of ยฃ24,000 was allocated to a central fund managed by Bracknell Forest Council and distributed earlier this year. Half was divided up equally between the charities and good causes that met their target of selling 20 tickets a week, and the other half was distributed as 12 grants of ยฃ1,000.
Cllr Paul Bettison OBE, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said:
โIt was a rare honour to be in a room with so many people who have done so much for the community in Bracknell Forest, and indeed, beyond. Hopefully the evening served as a thank you to them for all their hard work, especially in a period where we encountered unprecedented restrictions. They are a credit to our borough.
โWhat touched me most was hearing the history of these good causes and just how much the Bracknell Forest Lottery has helped them during this time, especially as face-to-face fundraising had to be abandoned for most of the past three years. The evening was a celebration of them and all their hard work.
โHearing their stories has made us more determined than ever to grow the lottery and make our fourth birthday even more special than our third.โ
Players can sign up to play through the Bracknell Forest Lottery website. Bracknell Forest Lottery is a free way for any local not-for-profit groups, parent-teacher association (PTAs), sports clubs or other charities to fundraise in a sustainable way and a great way for local residents to support them. If you know a local charity or good cause that may benefit from fundraising, you can find out how it works for fundraisers on the Bracknell Forest website or call 01344 590321.