25 September 2000

New lottery funding aids charity groups in NI

The National Lottery Charities Board Northern Ireland this week announced more than £4 million worth of grant support for good causes across the province.

The money is being shared by 46 groups under the Charities Board's Main Grants programmes. The money will be used to improve the circumstances of specific groups including older people, people living in rural areas, young people, minority ethic communities and families and children. Groups supporting people with disabilities are also supported.

The groups benefiting from today's grant announcements are diverse both geographically and in their sphere of work, ranging from Age Concern in Cookstown to Banbridge Area Carers' Support Group, from Shopmobility Belfast to the mental health charity STEER.

Announcing the grants today Noel Stewart, Chairman of the National Lottery Charities Board Committee in Northern Ireland, said: "We are delighted to be in a position to support the worthwhile work of so many dedicated groups, particularly in the light of increasing budget constraints.

"The £4 million we are allocating in this round of funding will impact positively on the lives of a great many people. The groups involved are to be congratulated on their impressive achievements to date and we wish them continued success as they develop their programmes."

The new grant brings the total disbursed by the National Lottery Charities Board in Northern Ireland since its inception six years ago to £76 million. The Northern Ireland Board receives more applications per head of population than any other region of the United Kingdom.

Note to Editors:

Applicant organisations have to fulfil stringent criteria and also fit in with the theme of the programmes. The criteria are publicly available and published in National Lottery Charities Board material and accessible on its website at www.nlcb.org.uk