The West Berkshire Lottery celebrates six months since its very first draw!

The first West Berkshire  draw took place on the 30th of March 2019. Now there are 103 local good causes signed up and over 930 players currently supporting the lottery each week. So far, the lottery has paid out over £6,200 in cash prizes and has recently celebrated the first £2,000 winner! Mr B, who supports Mary Hare School commented, “This has come as a big surprise and glad to support a lottery that helps local charities.”

The Lottery was started in March 2019 by West Berkshire Council to offer local good causes and charities a fun way to fundraise.

Throughout September the West Berkshire Lottery will be visiting some of the good causes raising funds to find out more about the invaluable services they provide to the communities and how the money raised is going to benefit them.

Councillor Jeff Cant, portfolio holder for the Lottery said: “There’s such a diverse collection of causes that are now raising funds through the lottery. So to celebrate six months of the lottery, we have planned to visit a variety of these, including Hedgehog Bottom, Thatcham Youth, The Rose of Hungerford and the Royal Naval Association.

"We will also be attending some special events that our good causes are hosting this month, including the Home-Start West Berkshire AGM at West Berkshire Museum, Flag DV’s ‘10k Legal Walk’ in Reading and an exhibition at City Arts Newbury as they celebrate officially becoming a registered charity.

“We can’t wait to catch up with them and find out what sort of impact the West Berkshire Lottery has had on their fundraising and how this will help them to continue to provide their invaluable services to the communities and residents in West Berkshire.”

The Council recognises the invaluable contribution the voluntary sector makes across the district in many different ways. Working in partnership with the voluntary and community sector is a priority in the new West Berkshire Council strategy, together making the district a greater place to live, work and learn.

The lottery looks set to raise almost £60,000 in its first year. 50p from each £1 ticket sold goes directly to local good causes