Over £6 million of National Lottery funding went to projects in Preston in 2020/21 according to new figures that mark the launch of this year’s National Lottery Awards.

A total of 66 National Lottery grants were allocated in this period, providing support to arts, sports, heritage and community organisations in Preston.

The National Lottery Awards are an annual celebration of the inspirational individuals and groups who do extraordinary things in their community with the help of National Lottery funding.

More than 1,500 inspirational people and projects were nominated for last year’s National Lottery Awards, and now the search is on once again for 2022’s nominees.

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The National Lottery is looking to highlight the exceptional work of local heroes who have gone the extra mile and made a difference in their community.

Anyone who has received National Lottery funding is eligible for nomination.

Read more: Helping Your Community Grow initiative to give boost to Preston project

Kelly Brook, who is leading the hunt for this year’s favourite National Lottery-funded people and projects, said: “It’s a real honour to be supporting this year’s National Lottery Awards, which highlight inspirational champions all over the UK.

“There are so many people up and down the country working tirelessly to make a difference in their communities, so it’s really important that we take a step back and recognise that.

“I hope lots of people put forward their nominations, because there are so many who deserve one of these awards.

“It’s thanks to National Lottery players that so much funding goes towards helping these local heroes carry out their vital work.”

Read more: National Lottery winners bring joy to hundreds of elderly and vulnerable people in Bamber Bridge

The National Lottery Awards will seek to celebrate outstanding individuals in the following categories:

• Community/Charity
• Art, Culture & Film
• Sport
• Heritage
• Environment
• Young Hero (Under 25s)

A new addition for 2022, the Environment category will look to celebrate an individual who has gone above and beyond to keep their community on the green path.

Winners of these categories will be chosen by a judging panel made up of members of the National Lottery family and partners and will receive a £5000 cash prize in addition to an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy.

In addition, any projects that have benefitted from National Lottery funding are also eligible to enter the Project of the Year category.

Read more: Intact granted over £214,000 from the National Lottery

The nominees will be whittled down to 16 finalists, with a UK-wide public vote in September deciding the winner.

Jonathan Tuchner, from the National Lottery, added: “The National Lottery has continued to make an incredible contribution to life in the UK ever since it was first established in 1994.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, an incredible £30million of funding is raised for good causes every single week.

“The National Lottery Awards seek to honour those who have stepped up and work tirelessly on behalf of others. We want to thank them and celebrate their incredible efforts.”

To make your nomination for this year’s National Lottery Awards, tweet @LottoGoodCauses with your suggestions or complete an entry form through the Lottery Good Causes website.

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Entries must be received by midnight on 1 June 2022.

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