National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2019 This November
Last Updated: Friday 22nd March 2019, 15:46 pm
The Irish National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2019 will take place on Saturday 2nd November in Dublin, Ireland, so find out more below about the awards to be won on the night and how playing the lottery contributes towards this upcoming event.
€95,000 in Prizes Amongst Winners
The awards are designed to recognise projects, clubs and individuals throughout Ireland that carry out a range of work in their particular fields. After its inaugural launch last year, there is a €95,000 prize fund to be won in November, shared amongst all winners. This five-figure amount has been made possible by the National Lottery Good Causes fund.
Thomas Barr, an Olympic hurdler for Ireland, was present at the launch of this year’s awards. He explained: “As someone who has benefitted hugely from National Lottery Good Causes funding in my career, I am delighted to be associated with these important Awards. I can see the impact of National Lottery funding all over the country, and its role in supporting athletes preparing for major competitions including the Olympics.
“The contribution of National Lottery Good Causes grants to sporting organisations, in particular, has been immense. This funding has made a huge difference to thousands of sports clubs up and down the country. The variety and breadth of National Lottery support is impressive with the arts, culture, youth and the Irish language also benefitting.”
Seven Categories to Be Won
Dermot Griffin, the CEO of the National Lottery in Ireland, echoed Barr’s sentiments. He was full of praise for the positive impact the Good Causes fund has had on a range of projects across Ireland. He revealed: “The National Lottery is used to celebrating winners. However we have thousands of winners, unsung heroes, and these awards reflect that dedication and commitment.
“National Lottery funding would not be possible if it were not for our players all over the country so I thank them for their continued support. Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games – or over €620,000 per day – goes back to Good Causes all over the country in the areas of Sports, Arts, Culture, Heritage, Community, Health, Youth and the Irish Language.
“Last year alone more than €227 million was raised by players of National Lottery games for Good Causes. We are proud that since the National Lottery was founded 32 years ago more than €5.4 billion has been raised.”
The awards are open to those who received Good Causes funding in 2016 or 2017, and the seven categories available are Sport, Health and Wellbeing, Arts/Culture, Heritage, Community, Youth Affairs and Irish Language. Each of the category winners will be awarded €10,000, and the Good Cause of the Year will get an extra €25,000.
Griffin added: “Through the Good Causes Awards we want to show how ordinary, everyday people, organisations, projects and sports clubs are doing extraordinary things in their communities. This is work that often goes unrecognised and we are encouraging Good Cause beneficiaries to enter these awards to give them the opportunity to have their hard work honoured.”
