UK National Lottery surpasses £1bn in support funding during pandemic

The UK National Lottery has announced that funding to support the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has surpassed £1bn.
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The UK National Lottery has announced that funding to support the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has surpassed £1bn.

Over the past 12 months, the funding package has helped sport, heritage, arts and charity sectors across Great Britain and Northern Ireland as they battled the effects of the pandemic.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “The National Lottery has contributed enormously to the whole country building back better from the pandemic.

“This massive £1bn contribution has made a significant difference to the lives of so many by providing critical financial support for our communities in need.”

The £1.2bn funding has gone towards thousands of initiatives and programmes designed to tackle loneliness and isolation, provide support for the elderly and vulnerable young people, and those promoting physical and mental health in the community.

Ros Kerslake, Chair of The National Lottery Forum, added: “Thanks to The National Lottery’s players, we have been able to offer comprehensive packages of support to thousands of projects throughout the UK over the last year.

“This funding has helped alleviate some of the significant and unprecedented challenges faced by the community, arts, heritage and sports sectors as a result of the pandemic. None of this would have been possible without the important work of amazing and dedicated people throughout the UK who keep these projects going.”

Last month, the National Lottery Heritage Fund announced it will provide £13.5m in grants through its Heritage Capital Kickstart Fund to help revive 22 heritage sites across the UK impacted by COVID-19.