A charity set up as a legacy initiative from the London 2012 Summer Olympics has started running a lottery to raise funds for grassroots sports clubs in Britain.
Community sport charity Sported launched the Grassroots Sport Lottery today with the aim of raising millions of pounds for local organisations under threat due to funding challenges.
The lottery is being set up in partnership with operator Gatherwell and will also enable grassroots groups to run their own lotteries to finance items such as equipment and facilities.
Tickets for the lottery will cost £1 with a draw each Saturday and a top prize of £25,000 – with half of the price of each ticket being invested into grassroots sport.
Lack of government investment
In response to a recent survey by Sported, 82% of community sports clubs said that raising funds was their highest priority and 85% said there was insufficient investment from government into the sector.
“We hear repeatedly of the difficulty that grassroots sport has in raising the cash to underpin the incredible contributions they make within our communities,” Sported’s chief executive Sarah Kaye said.
“There are significant challenges in running costs for those operating their own facilities while also ensuring activities are affordable to all parts of society.
“Over half of the groups we work with have flagged young people dropping out because of cost pressures.
“Our hope is that the Grassroots Sport Lottery will provide a simple, cost-effective way to generate priceless funds to ensure their doors remain open.”
New source of funding
Rob Wilson, founder of Leeds-based LGBT+ support community interest company Angels of Freedom, said he hoped the lottery would encourage more people to offer financial support.
“Signing up to the Grassroots Sport Lottery provides an opportunity for the community to support us – with the opportunity for them to win something back,” he said.
“We’re looking to engage with an audience who wouldn’t typically make direct donations. So, for every new sign up, we’re gaining additional help while also building on our network.”
Gatherwell general manager Phil Wright said: “We hope the Grassroots Sport Lottery can play a vital part in helping to provide resources for clubs and opportunities for all to be involved with sport and physical activity.”
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