People’s Lottery millions up for grabs for ITV Tyne Tees communities

The People’s Millions 2010 competition opens its doors today for projects in the ITV Tyne Tees region to put in their bids to receive up to £50,000 from the Big Lottery Fund (BIG).

It is the sixth year of The People’s Millions competition, allowing communities across ITV Tyne Tees to improve facilities or get more enjoyment from their local area.

Five bumper Big Lottery Fund grants are on offer in ITV Tyne Tees, with a total of £250,000 to be awarded to community projects in the region.

The People’s Millions, a partnership between the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) and ITV, aims to improve communities across the UK and gives the public the chance to vote on which local projects should receive lottery good-cause funding.

Shortlisted projects will be showcased on local ITV evening news where they will have to convince the public why they need the cash. It will then be up to the public to vote for groups to win the funding.

To date the contest has awarded more than £1.2 million in the ITV Tyne Tees region, funding a wide range of community projects from the refurbishment of a much-loved community swimming pool to the construction of new sailing pontoons on the banks of the Tyne. Green-fingered groups have also seen success, with cash going the way of projects allowing communities to get together and enjoy the great outdoors.

James Turner, Big Lottery Fund Head of the North East region, said: “BIG and ITV are calling on people to come forward with their brilliant ideas to improve their communities. I would urge you to seize this opportunity to get funding for something special that you know will make a real difference to the people around you.”

This year a new streamlined online entry form will mean that applying to the contest will be even simpler. Entry forms are available from 10 March at www.peoplesmillions.org.uk. Entries need to be returned to the Big Lottery Fund by the deadline, 12 noon on Friday 14 May 2010.

Pam Royle, ITV Tyne Tees presenter, said: "The People’s Millions is a marvellous opportunity for community groups to use the money on offer to realise their plans, ambitions and projects. It helps to bring communities together.”

Ian Payne, ITV Tyne Tees presenter, added: “We've carried a lot of stories recently about the strength communities gain in times of adversity and we never cease to be amazed by the way people help each other through difficult times like the recent flooding and snow. The People’s Millions is a positive reason for communities to get together to benefit from the money available."

Watch Peter Wanless on the GMTV sofa to launch The People’s Millions 2010.

Further Information

For more information please call: Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of Hours contact: 07867 500 572

Full details of Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Notes to Editors

• 75 awards are up for grabs across the UK – four awards and one bonus award in each of the 15 ITV regions
  ITV Anglia, ITV Border, ITV Central, ITV Granada, ITV London, ITV Meridian (East of the region), ITV Meridian (West of the region), ITV Tyne Tees, ITV West, ITV Westcountry, ITV Yorkshire, stv Central, stv North, UTV

• Since the launch of People’s Millions in 2005, the aim of the contest has been to fund projects that improve the quality of life of local communities through transforming the local environment.
• New and existing voluntary or community organisations, schools, local authorities and health bodies are all eligible to apply.
• Telephone voting numbers – As with previous years, ITV and the Big Lottery Fund will use a low cost telephone number. ITV and Big do not make a profit from the voting telephone numbers.
• The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding responsible for giving out half the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
• BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since June 2004. The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £24 billion has now been raised and more than 317,500 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.