National Lottery delivers £600m Covid-19 support package

Funds will be used to support arts groups and sports clubs, as well as organisations supporting vulnerable people in the UK.

UK.- The National Lottery has announced a donation of £600million to help projects hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Those being offered support include arts groups and sports clubs, as well as organisations supporting vulnerable people in the country plus programs that combat loneliness and isolation.

Over the next three months, £300million will be distributed to UK-wide to groups supporting people and communities.

A £50million Emergency Fund from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will address immediate pressures in the heritage sector.

Sport England announced that £157million of National Lottery funding would go towards a response package to support the sport and physical activity sector.

‘The National Lottery has always supported projects that help people and communities across the UK thrive,” Dawn Austwick, Chair of The National Lottery Forum, said.

“And now, the funds available are switching focus to support communities, arts, heritage, sport, education and the environment to mitigate the unprecedented pressure they are coming under as the country rallies to overcome Covid-19.”

Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport added: “Since the National Lottery began in 1994, its dedicated players have raised more than £40billion for good causes across the UK, making an enormous difference to people’s lives and the issues they care about.

“In these uncertain times, lottery funding takes on an even greater significance, as we come together to deliver a national effort. So I am delighted that the National Lottery is channelling its support to help those most in need across these sectors.

“This will help to support jobs and economic growth, allowing us to support vulnerable people who are relying on us, and continue to keep Britain active, educated and entertained both during and after this epidemic,” he concluded.

The Government has also pledged a £750million package of support for UK charities which was announced earlier this month.