Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan celebrated funding local charities in his constituency have received thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery at a recent reception held at Holyrood on Wednesday (23 May, 2018).
Alasdair attended the event to celebrate the £301 million raised for over 4,000 good causes by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and was joined by Dame Ellen MacArthur who was backing the call to increase fundraising limits for society lotteries.
At present, the annual sales cap of £10 million per year hampers lottery fundraising and means that four out of every five funding applications from local good causes have to be turned down. By increasing the fundraising limit to £100 million per year more charities could benefit.
Alongside national charities, many local charities benefit from the funding, with groups in Na h-Eileanan an Iar having received £102,506 so far.
Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:
“It has been fascinating to learn more about People’s Postcode Lottery and I’m delighted to hear the positive impact the funding has had in my constituency. I fully back the campaign to increase fundraising limits so charities can continue to carry out vital services.”
Commenting Dame Ellen MacArthur said:
“I know from my personal experience with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, just how important the funds raised by charity lotteries can be.
“Support from players of People's Postcode Lottery has enabled us to do charitable work that would simply not have been possible otherwise. It has allowed us to expand our work in supporting young people living with cancer to transform their lives through sailing, and also in tackling global issues like marine plastics. I support efforts to make People's Postcode Lottery's work even more impactful by raising Society Lottery limits.”
Clara Govier, Managing Director for People’s Postcode Lottery commented:
“We are the only fundraising sector with limits on the amount we can raise for good causes. A simple change in these limits would mean more money could go to causes across the country.”