Wetland wildlife gets extra award from players of People’s Postcode Lottery
Wildlife and visitors at WWT Wetland Centres have been given an extra £25,000 award by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. WWT is one of 57 charities that were awarded an extra £1.425 million between them as part of the charity lottery’s long-term support.
WWT’s Chief Executive Martin Spray received the news of the additional funding at the 2016 People’s Postcode Lottery Charity Gala. The event took place at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh in celebration of the hard work achieved by charities supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
The event was attended by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, TV presenter Fiona Philips and Dame Ellen MacArthur. Entertainment on the night was provided by popstar Dionne Bromfield.
The extra support will help children throughout the UK to experience wildlife and nature, many for their first time, at WWT’s Wetland Centres. And it will help protect some of the UK’s most exciting birds and animals, which depend on WWT’s world class nature reserves.
Martin Spray, Chief Executive at WWT said:
“Millions of people in the UK have their first experience of wildlife up close at one of WWT’s Wetland Centres. This generous support from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery ensures WWT can keep bringing new and fun wildlife experiences to the public, whether it’s the spectacle of skies filled with lapwings and golden plovers over a pristine wetland, or feeding the rarest goose in the world by hand.”
Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said:
“As People’s Postcode Lottery continues to grow the amount that our players award to good causes continues to increase. We are very proud that our players can continue to support the development of these fantastic causes.”
This additional funding comes at a very exciting time for the charity lottery as they mark 10 years since the first ever draw. The last 10 years have created thousands of lucky winners but have also provided vital funding for numerous charities across Great Britain and internationally. A minimum of 27.5% is awarded to charities and good causes with over £99.6 million awarded to date.