Call for Lottery-funded arts stars to enter National Awards The National Lottery is calling on all Lottery projects in the arts sector to enter The National Lottery Awards. Supported by GMTV and Loose Woman presenter, Andrea McLean, the Awards are the annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects and celebrate the people behind them. This year, winning projects will receive a £2,000 prize to spend on their project, and have their achievements highlighted on a special BBC 1 programme later in the year. The Awards have seven categories – each one reflecting an area of Lottery funding. Judges will be looking for the best project in the following areas: Sport; Heritage; Arts; Environment; Voluntary/Charity; Health and Education. Since The National Lottery began in 1994, Lottery players have raised £20 billion for Good Causes and over 280,000 grants have been given out. One person who has seen the positive impact of winning a National Lottery Award first-hand is Sue Davies from, from 2007 winner the The Brindley, a community arts centre, says: “Beating hundreds of projects to win a National Lottery Award last year is something I’ll never forget. Our project means so much to our community and it was great to be recognised for that. I would definitely recommend Lottery-funded projects to enter the Awards - it made our year!” Any Lottery-funded project - large or small - can enter or be nominated. Entries can be made either online at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk or by calling 0845 130 4133. Deadline for nominations is 5pm on 20 March 2008. Shortlisted projects will compete to go through to the finals, with the overall winners being announced on a BBC 1 primetime TV show later this year.