- Area:
- North West England
- Programme:
- Awards for All England
- Release date:
- 21 8 2012
A Liverpool charity backed by celebrity comedians John Bishop and Les Dennis has today received a Big Lottery Fund grant for a project that could help the city’s next stand-up star to hit the big time.
The Comedy Trust saw success earlier this year when Callum Oakley, a winner of the charity’s Young Comedian of the Year award, reached the semi finals of Britain’s Got Talent. The Trust will now use an award of £6550 for their Stand Out project, a series of school-based comedy workshops that will put a smile on the face of young people in deprived areas.
Les Dennis said: “The Big Lottery have been crucial in helping The Comedy Trust to expand and develop their Stand Out programmes. Their fantastic support has allowed the new project to get off the ground and both The Comedy Trust and the participants will be very grateful for their funding. I am very proud to be associated with Stand Out.”
Val Brady, Fundraising Assistant for The Comedy Trust said: “This funding will mean we can reach kids aged 11-14 and while we may uncover another comedy gem, this is all about improving confidence, self-esteem and communication skills for as many children as possible. The Awards for All application was so straightforward and the money makes a real difference. I’d definitely encourage other groups to contact the Big Lottery Fund.”
The Comedy Trust’s grant comes from the Big Lottery Fund’s popular small grants scheme, Awards for All. A total of 88 projects in the North West are today sharing £775,125 in the latest round of awards.
Helen Bullough, Big Lottery Fund Head of the North West region, said: “This project is fantastic and is just a drop in the ocean of good causes that the Awards for All programme has supported. There’s plenty more funding to come and we want to hear from all community groups, charities and associations across the North West who may not realise just how quick and simple the application process is. The money is here so make sure you don’t miss out.”
BIG’s Awards for All programme offers grants of between £300 and £10,000 to social and environmental projects that will benefit local communities and make a difference to the lives of those most in need. Voluntary and community groups, schools, health organisations and parish and town councils can all apply.
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours media contact: 07867 500 572
Ask BIG a question here: https://ask.biglotteryfund.org.uk
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Notes to Editors
- The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
- BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since June 2004 BIG has awarded over £4.4bn.
- The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
- Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £28 billion has now been raised and more than 383,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.
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