Over £70,000 has been raised for local causes – and £14,875 in prize money has been won by local residents – in South Oxfordshire District Council’s SO Charitable Lottery, which celebrates its third anniversary on 27 March.
The finances of charities and voluntary groups across the country have been hit hard over the past year, and so extra revenue streams like the SO Charitable Lottery have been helpful. Many of the organisations that benefit from the SO Charitable Lottery have been on the front line carrying out vital work to help people in need in local communities.
These organisations, as well as others in the district, need the help of residents in South Oxfordshire more than ever before and so the district council is calling on residents who can spare a couple of pounds a week to consider signing up to the lottery – they will help a local charity of their choosing and be in with a chance of winning up to £25,000 each week.
There are currently 71 charities and voluntary groups supported by the lottery that players of the lottery can choose from.
The district council is also inviting more organisations in the district such as village halls, PTAs, sports clubs and health and wellbeing charities to get involved and benefit from this lottery.
The SO Charitable Lottery is a weekly lottery. All the organisations which benefit from the money raised work directly in the district to support residents. Tickets for the lottery cost just £1 per week, with a top prize of £25,000. From every £1 ticket sold, 50p goes to local charities and organisations, 10p goes into a central charitable fund that the district council distributes to good causes and the rest goes on administrating the lottery.
The council has confirmed plans to use the central fund to establish a new award scheme that voluntary and community organisations in South Oxfordshire can apply to. Further details will be announced and published on the council’s website in due course.
Brian McNamee is the Chair of Didcot TRAIN, a charity that works with and for young people. He said: “Since we have been using the SO Charitable lottery scheme, we have been able to raise £1,540 thanks to the care and kindness of those who have chosen us as their charity. These funds have enabled us to work with young people by providing for 105 staff hours for us to do youth work on the streets, parks and places that our young people assemble.”
Cllr Maggie Filipova–Rivers Cabinet Member for Community Services at South Oxfordshire District Council said: “Money raised by the SO Charitable Lottery benefits so many in our district, and now more than ever we’re aware of the support that these voluntary and charitable organisations need. We know some people are having a tough time financially, but if you can spare a couple of pounds a week, please do consider signing up – it’s quick and easy to do, and it’s nice to know you’re supporting local good causes.”
