Community lotteries around Portsmouth area to help local causes in the wake of pandemic

Council officials say the schemes, which give around 60 per cent of ticket prices to small charities and organisations, will continue to do so in the wake of the pandemic.

Run by local councils or community groups through lottery provider Gatherwell, which is used across the country, players pay £1 a week for a line of six numbers with a top prize of £25,000 and five small prizes of shop vouchers.

Portsmouth City Council has held a lottery since 2016, raising a total of £186,953 for a variety of causes. In Gosport and Havant the lotteries, which were founded in 2018, have raised £71,000 and £87,306.60 respectively.

Councillor Tom Woods, Portsmouth City Council's resources boss, said: 'Since its launch the Portsmouth Lottery has been incredibly successful in raising money for local charities and good causes.

'We've seen a wide range of organisations benefit from grants and, as the city focuses on recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, I have no doubt that the lottery will play an important role in supporting grass roots organisations within our community.'

In 2020 charities and good causes are on track to benefit from £60,000 worth of grants. Some of the organisations which have benefited so far include Boogie Mites, the John Pounds Centre, North End Playscheme, Stand Up Portsmouth and Stop Domestic Abuse.

Cllr Mark Hook, leader of Gosport Borough Council, added: 'It's been fantastic to see the incredible amount of money that's already been raised by the Gosport Lottery for local good causes.

'The grants have had a big impact on so many organisations and those they support. With the next round of grants, the aim is to focus on helping smaller charities that will support the area's recovery from coronavirus.'

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In September, the Gosport Lottery will be inviting charities to bid for the next round of funding. In Portsmouth applications for grants from the lottery must be received by August 28.

The odds of winning a 'small prize' is one in 50, and the odds of winning the top prize is one million to one.

Gatherwell lotteries are certified by the Gambling Commission, which is linked to Gamble Aware and the Lotteries Council.

As previously reported councils around the Portsmouth area are facing cash shortfalls due to the pandemic.

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