The Giant’s Causeway has been shortlisted in this year’s prestigious National Lottery Awards. The National Lottery Awards reward and recognise the inspirational impact of National Lottery funded projects across all sections of society.
National Lottery players raise more than £35 million for good causes throughout the UK every week.
More than 900 good causes from across the UK were nominated in this year’s Awards. The Giant’s Causeway has made it through to the final seven in the Best Heritage Project category, with a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy and a £2,000 cash prize[1] up for grabs if they get the highest number of public votes in their category.
National Trust is appealing for public support for the Giant’s Causeway as it bids to make it all the way to the star-studded awards ceremony in September which will be broadcast on BBC One.
Eleanor Killough, Community Engagement and Volunteering Officer at the National Trust, said: “The Giant’s Causeway is a world-renowned visitor attraction and one of the jewels in the crown of Northern Ireland’s natural heritage. Our visitor centre provides a world-class experience for the hundreds of thousands of people who come here each year from across the globe.
“Naturally we are delighted to have made the finals of the National Lottery Awards 2013 and will appealing to all those who treasure and enjoy the Giant’s Causeway to vote for us and make us winners.”
To register your vote for the Giant’s Causeway call 0844 836 9696 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards.
TV star and actor John Barrowman, presenter of The National Lottery Awards, said: “National Lottery funding helps transform communities and changes lives for the better. National Lottery players should be proud that their contribution to good causes makes such a positive difference to arts, sport, heritage, community and voluntary groups across the UK.
“I would urge everyone to get behind The Giant’s Causeway and do their bit to ensure they get further recognition for their world-class visitor experience and wonderful preservation of a unique part of our natural heritage.”
Jackie O’Sullivan of National Lottery Good Causes added: “We have been overwhelmed by the number and standard of entries for the National Lottery Awards. Each week National Lottery players raise over £35 million for good causes. The impact of National Lottery funding at the heart of communities cannot be over-estimated.”
“The 49 good causes competing for public votes are just a snapshot of the life-changing influence of National Lottery funding. Now for the hard part, every one of the nominees is a winner in their own right but it is up to you, the public, to get behind your good cause and make sure they pick up the top prize.”
There are seven nominees in seven categories in the Awards, reflecting the main areas of Lottery funding: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.
Voting for The National Lottery Awards starts at 9am on Wednesday 19 June and ends at midnight on Wednesday 24 July. You can vote at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards and follow voting on twitter: hashtag #NLAwards