|
Ballymena Community Sports Project reaches final of National Lottery Awards
Following a UK-wide battle against strong opposition Ballymena Community Sports Project has reached the final of The National Lottery Awards 2008. The project is now up against two other finalists in the Best Sports Project category and is asking sports fans to really get behind them and vote.
Each of the seven categories will have one winner, who will receive a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project. The winners will be announced during a special live BBC1 programme in August. The show will feature high-profile celebrities who will be on hand to present the awards to the winning projects.
Gary Boyd from the Ballymena Community Sports Project is delighted to have reached the finals and would like to encourage everyone in Northern Ireland to get behind them and vote: "It’s amazing to make the finals – we’re absolutely thrilled. Sport Northern Ireland Lottery funding has made a real difference to our project and to win a National Lottery Award would be a great achievement. The public has already helped us get this far and we are really hoping that they continue to give us their support and vote for us.”
Ballymena Community Sports Programme was created to provide opportunities for young people living in disadvantaged areas of Ballymena, to take part in sport. Lottery funding enabled the programme to set up football centres in two of Britain's most economically deprived areas. To date, more than 2,000 children participate regularly in programmes such as football, hockey, basketball, dance, Ju-Jitsu, cricket, rugby and trampolining. To register your vote for Ballymena Community Sports Programme call 0845 386 1159 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards .
Now entering their fifth successful year, the Awards recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects - both large and small - make to local communities, and celebrate the achievements of the people behind them. The 2008 National Lottery Awards are supported by TV and radio presenter, Gethin Jones. Gethin says: “All the projects that have competed this year are worthy winners and transform the lives of people and places across the UK. Each week Lottery players raise an amazing £25 million for Good Causes and this money ensures that projects, like the ones in Northern Ireland, can carry out their vital work. Please get behind them and give them your vote today.”
Public voting for the final starts at 9am on Monday 21 July and ends at midday on Friday 8 August.
|
