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Local organisations attended a special launch event for the new Epping Forest Community Lottery on Thursday 6 June.
Representatives from different charitable groups heard from lottery organiser, Gatherwell, about the benefits of fundraising via a community lottery, how players can buy tickets and how the money is divided and transferred.
Not too late to sign up
21 good causes have already signed up to be part of the lottery. There is still time for others to join.
Each good cause is given its own page on the website to direct their supporters to. Causes will receive 50p from every £1 ticket sold, with a further 10p going into a Central Fund that will also be distributed to good causes.
Organisations must operate in or serve the Epping Forest district community to be eligible to join.
Make a real difference
2 organisations that have already signed up as good causes shared what being part of the lottery means to them.
Home-Start Essex is committed to delivering support for families with young children who need a little extra support in those early years.
Paul from Home-Start Essex commented:
We joined [the Community Lottery] to raise much needed funds but also to raise awareness of our work and the impact we seek to have with local families. Whilst it won’t bring in huge amounts, what it does, will make a real difference to our work.
The Epping Forest Sunflower Group is a charity for special needs and disabled people based at the Grange Farm Centre in Chigwell.
John from the Epping Forest Sunflower Group said:
We rely on funders and sponsors to help us to deliver regular sessions and activities for our members, so any financial support is welcomed no matter how small. We are hoping that the Epping Forest Community Lottery will help provide some positive assistance.
Benefiting the whole community
Epping Forest District Council Chairman, Cllr Les Burrows said:
The launch event was fantastic. It was wonderful to see so many representatives from various good causes. We are fortunate to have so many community-focused groups throughout the district. I strongly encourage more organisations to join and participate.
I also urge everyone to buy tickets. Each ticket sold helps fund local groups and charities, benefiting the whole community.
Play the lottery
Tickets for Epping Forest Community Lottery will go on sale on Tuesday 2 July for the first draw on Saturday 3 August.
Residents and visitors to the district can support local charities and good causes and be in with the chance to win cash prizes.
Tickets cost just £1 per ticket. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with the top prize of £25,000. Other prizes range from £25 to £2,000. Players can purchase tickets online and support the good cause of their choice.
Gatherwell
Epping Forest Community Lottery is being run in partnership with leading lottery management company, Gatherwell.
Gatherwell helps successfully manage similar lotteries throughout the UK.
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