The public has had their say! Three local community groups celebrate after winning public vote for more National Lottery funding

Three STV East based community groups have won a public vote and up to £50,000 of National Lottery funding in this year’s The People’s Projects. The money was awarded after Bonnyrigg After School Club, Kidz-Eco CIC and Edinburgh Diwali won the public over with their plans to make a life changing difference to their local communities.

The groups were amongst 95 worthwhile projects competing across the UK for a share of £3 million. Each was featured on STV East’s evening news programme, giving the public a chance to see their fantastic work and then make the tough choice of where the money should go.

After being chosen by voters from across the region, the three groups will now use this new funding to continue their work to bring people together, strengthen their communities and make a difference to people’s lives.

The A Space to Play project by Bonnyrigg After School Club, received £50,000 to move into a central location in Bonnyrigg from which they can expand their early years nursery service to help meet local demand. The building will also be used as a community centre to allowing a variety of other groups and organisations to make use of the space and facilities.

The Kidz n Kin project by Kidz-Eco CIC, based in Livingston, was awarded £45,604 to open an Early Years Community Space in The Centre, Livingston. Working with local partners including NHS and West Lothian Council they will be able to provide pre-birth and early years support to hundreds of local families weekly through classes, activities whilst also giving them access to a meeting space, play area and café.

The Edinburgh Diwali project by Edinburgh Diwali, was granted £50,000 to expand the annual Edinburgh Diwali Festival bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds, nationalities and religions from across the city to celebrate together through music, dancing, feasting and fireworks. This free festival promotes friendship and understanding across cultures and over 1000 Edinburgh primary school children will take part in workshops and activities.

The People’s Projects is a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund, ITV STV and The National Lottery. Since 2005 it has given the public a unique say in how National Lottery money should be put to good use in their local area.

The People's Projects celebrates some of the incredible projects supported by The National Lottery Community Fund - the UK's largest funder of community activities. This year, 95 community groups across the UK were shortlisted, with five groups going head to head in each region.

Martin Cawley, Scotland Director at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “The People’s Projects highlights the fantastic things communities are doing across Scotland to enable people to thrive. In every village, town and city, local groups are working together to turn great ideas into reality and deliver the change people want to see in their area.

“We’re really excited to see this year’s winners use National Lottery funding to strengthen their local community and support people to lead happier and healthier lives.”

The People’s Projects has awarded around £45 million to over 1,000 good causes across the UK since it started in 2005.