Two weeks left to enter National Lottery Good Causes Awards

The National Lottery is calling on community projects, youth projects, charities, sports clubs, arts and heritage organisations all over Ireland to get their entries in for the National Lottery Good Causes Awards ahead of the extended deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday, November 27.

National Lottery Good Causes Awards, with its total prize fund of €95,000, honours the inspiring work and achievements of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals all over Ireland who, with the help of National Lottery Good Causes funding, have had an extraordinary impact on their local communities.

Jennifer Crowe, CSR and Good Causes relationship manager of the National Lottery, said: “Now in its third year, the National Lottery Good Causes Awards have always aimed to shine a light on beneficiaries of National Lottery funding. This year in particular it is even more important to do so.

“All of the entries so far have been incredible and we are really looking forward to sitting down with the judging panel and discovering more about the extraordinary work being done in communities all over Ireland. The difficult process of judging will take place in December and the 36 finalists going forward to the National Finals will be informed before Christmas. Good luck to everyone!”

The final awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 27, 2001, in the Mansion House, Dublin City centre. The finale will be presented by broadcaster and journalist Grainne Seoige and the competition’s judging process will be chaired by Lotto presenter and RTÉ weather broadcaster Nuala Carey.

When launching the awards earlier this year, Nuala Carey said: “The National Lottery is used to celebrating winners. However, we have thousands of winners – unsung heroes – who work quietly under the radar to make positive change in their communities, and these awards reflect that dedication and commitment.

“I was lucky enough to witness this having being on the judging panel for the national finals of the Good Causes Awards for the past two years, so this year I am thrilled to be chairing the panel of judges.”

Individuals, community projects and organisations who received Good Causes funding between the years 2014 to 2019 (inclusive) are eligible to apply. Applications for the awards are now open and people can enter and check eligibility at www.lottery.ie/goodcausesawards.

The awards will have seven categories, which are: sport, health and well-being, arts/culture, heritage, community, youth affairs, and a special category, Irish language.

Each of the seven category winners will receive €10,000 and the overall Good Cause of the Year will win an additional €25,000.

*Pictured above, Grainne Seoige and Nuala Carey at the launch of the National Lottery Good Causes Awards earlier this year. Photo: Mac Innes Photography