13 November 1998

National Lottery Charities Board Awards £3 million across UK

Leading national charities were among the beneficiaries of 14 grants, totalling £3.3 million, announced today by the National Lottery Charities Board.

The grants to projects working throughout the UK were awarded under the Board’s Community involvement programme, which aims to improve the quality of life for the whole community.

Major UK charities receiving funding include Oxfam for the continuation of their UK Poverty Programme. The programme provides support to voluntary and community groups which are seeking to alleviate the effects of poverty in deprived areas within the UK. The grant of £999,504 is the largest yet made by the UK Committee.

The second largest grant today goes to the National Homeless Alliance, which receives £587,171. The project is to develop the Groundswell local group network which promotes, supports and develops the work of community-based groups of homeless or ex-homeless people.

Tommy’s Campaign receives £23,326 for its project to research the causes of premature labour. The research will be used to produce leaflets for midwives and pregnant women.

Smaller charities celebrating today include the Media Trust, which was set up to build partnerships between the media and the voluntary sector. Their grant of £417,000 will fund a project which aims to meet a growing demand for assistance with communications from voluntary organisations across the UK.

Smooth Ride Guides produces a series of comprehensive guide books for travellers in wheelchairs. They have already published guides to Australasia and the Eastern Seaboard of the USA. Their grant of £73,600 is to produce a guide for disabled travellers within the UK, detailing the accessibility of transport and accommodation. The guide will also cover places of historic interest and sports and leisure facilities.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers provides information, support and practical help to carers nationwide. It receives £44,141 to set up a carers’ consultancy scheme, so that groups with established skills can share them with new groups.

Gerald Oppenheim, Director for UK and Corporate Planning, National Lottery Charities Board, said: "The Board is delighted to fund charities working on projects in all four countries of the UK. They represent good examples of how well-known organisations can work to support local initiatives."

The Charities Board today also announced 314 grants worth £1,018,696 to small groups and charities in England under its Small grants scheme.

Media enquiries: Robert Blow, Press Officer, 0171-747 5227