- Area:
- Scotland
- Programme:
- The Peoples Millions
- Release date:
- 13 3 2013
From today (MARCH 13) groups across Scotland have the chance to win £50k to make a difference in their communities and turn their dreams into reality as The People’s Millions launches for 2013.
The Peoples Millions is an annual TV competition run by Big Lottery Fund and STV which funds community projects which will improve the lives of local people. This year there are four awards of up to £50,000 in each of the three STV regional news areas across Scotland..
The competition opens for entries today (13 March 2013). More information along with entry forms can be found at www.peoplesmillions.org.uk and the deadline for applications is 12 noon on Monday 13 May 2013.
In October this year a shortlist of the best ideas will be chosen. The groups then have just over a month to get their communities supporting their proposals as they are showcased on STV regional news. Whoever gets the most support through a telephone vote will win the funding to put their plans into action.
Big Lottery Fund Scotland Director, Jackie Killeen, said, “The People’s Millions is a fantastic way to make a difference in your area, whether it’s tackling a local problem or issue or responding to a need for a service or support. The public will vote on who gets the money, so the ideas have to capture their imagination and persuade them to vote. It’s a great chance to put your community on the map and mobilize support for something that local people care about. I would encourage everyone who is passionate about where they live to think about how to spend £50,000 to visit the website and send us their ideas as soon as possible.”
Gordon Macmillan, Head of News at STV, said, “I’m thrilled about STV’s continued involvement with The People’s Millions. It is a fantastic opportunity for STV viewers to influence where Lottery money should be spent and get a chance to help community groups across Scotland win some much deserved funding.”
Kim Simpson, Beaver Scout Leader, Aberdeen Scouts, said, “The funding we received has made a huge difference to our campfire circle at our Scout Campsite. Over 76 years of fun, challenge and adventure had taken its toll and our campfire circle was looking a bit unloved.
We were absolutely delighted to receive the funding to carry out essential repairs and improvements to transform it into an accessible and safe place. We were given a huge boost thanks to People’s Millions and we can’t thank everyone who voted for us enough!”
Through The People’s Millions this year, a total of £3.8 million is available for 76 projects across the UK. The competition has awarded over £5.1 million Lottery cash to 94 projects across Scotland since it was launched in 2005.
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888 Out of Hours contact: 07867 500 572
Full details of Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Follow BIG on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BigLotteryFund #BIGlf
Follow People's Millions on Twitter using: #pplsmillions
The People’s Millions 2013 Diary Dates
• 12noon 13 May 2013: Application deadline
• Late October 2013: Shortlist announcement
• 25-28 November 2013: Voting week
Notes to Editors
• The People’s Millions is a Big Lottery Fund initiative in partnership with ITV
• Through The People’s Millions BIG will be making 76 awards of up to £50,000 to new projects that will improve local places or the lives of people in the community.
• The People’s Millions that has given the public the chance to vote on which local projects should receive lottery good-cause funding since its launch in 2005.
• New and existing voluntary or community organisations, schools, local authorities and health bodies are all eligible to apply.
• Telephone voting numbers – as with previous years, ITV and the Big Lottery Fund will use a low cost telephone number. ITV and BIG do not make a profit from the voting telephone numbers.
• 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 its inception in June 2004 BIG has awarded close to £6bn.
• 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 £29 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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