TV’S JACQUELINE JOSSA SEEKS CHESHIRE HEROES

Former EastEnders star and I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here winner Jacqueline Jossa is encouraging the public to nominate people and projects who are doing extraordinary things in Cheshire with the help of National Lottery funding.

National Lottery funding of nearly £8 million has been given to good causes in Cheshire in 2019/20 according to new figures released today to mark the launch of The National Lottery Awards.

A total of 206 National Lottery grants were allocated in this period providing crucial support to arts, sports, heritage and community organisations in Cheshire.

The National Lottery Awards are the annual search for the UK’s favourite National Lottery funded people and projects and, this year, actress and TV presenter, Jacqueline Jossa, has joined forces with the National Lottery in the search for inspirational individuals and groups throughout the UK.

Jacqueline, who is known for portraying Lauren Branning in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2010 to 2018, and winning the nineteenth series of the ITV series I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2019, is encouraging the public to nominate the people and projects who do extraordinary things in their community with the help of National Lottery funding - especially during these challenging times.

Flying the flag for the North West last year was Taslima Ahmad who won the UK-wide Heritage category for her work to keep traditional textile techniques alive with her courses for marginalised women and children during the pandemic. In 2013, Taslima from Manchetser set up Creative Design & Manufacture UK, a non-profit space for artists and designers and an educational environment where people experiencing difficult circumstances can feel safe to share whilst learning new skills. When the pandemic hit, and her classes forced to close, Taslima delivered 20 sewing machines to her students and ran online textile training sessions to help vulnerable and disadvantaged BAME women to cope with the impact of Covid-19. Many of the women and children had no access to outdoor spaces, so the machine was a creative and vital distraction.

In 2020 there were almost 5000 nominations made and, once again, the National Lottery is looking to hear about those who are going the extra mile, doing amazing things and inspiring others. Anyone who has received National Lottery funding is eligible for nomination.

Winners in each category will receive a £3,000 cash prize for their organisation and a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy.

Urging people to get their nominations in, Jacqueline Jossa, said:  “I really hope lots of people nominate [a local hero] because these people deserve to be celebrated, especially during these challenging times when many need the support more than ever. So much National Lottery funding goes to great causes and allows these local heroes to continue their inspirational work within our communities and its thanks to National Lottery players that this can continue.”

Encompassing all aspects of National Lottery good causes funding, the 2021 National Lottery Awards are seeking to recognise outstanding individuals in the following sectors:

• Culture, Arts & Film

• Heritage

• Sport

• Community/Charity

There will be a special Young Hero Award for someone under the age of 18 who has gone that extra mile in their organisation. All nominees must work or act for a National Lottery funded organisation or have received National Lottery funding.

Winners of these categories will be chosen by a judging panel made up of members of the National Lottery family and partners.

In addition, projects from any sector who have received National Lottery funding are eligible to enter The National Lottery Project of the Year category. Sixteen shortlisted finalists will compete in a UK-wide public vote in September to claim this title.

To make your nomination for this year’s National Lottery Awards, tweet @LottoGoodCauses with your suggestions or complete an entry form through our website https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards . Entries must be received by midnight on 7th June 2021.

Pictured - Former EastEnders star and I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here winner Jacqueline Jossa.