I guess almost everyone has heard of the National Lottery but I am not sure everyone will have heard of The Health Lottery. I understand there has been some controversy over the structure it uses to operate as an almost National Lottery without being designated as such. Anyway there are apparently 51 local society lotteries behind The Health Lottery brand which has apparently raised over £28 million for good causes. The local society lottery for Bury is HealthSustain. Each week a different society lottery benefits and all the money raised across the Country is available for good causes in the area covered by that local society.
I am not sure how many people take part in The Health Lottery but just in case any readers have and may have been wondering what happened to the proceeds I am informed by the People’s Health Trust that a grant of £43,357 was awarded by them to Sustrans in order to develop an ‘Active Travel for Health programme in Bury’. Apparently this funding will support the setting up of a schools-based Bike It project to encourage the creation of a pro-cycling culture and the use of the bicycle for school journeys. The programme is aimed at young people at risk of not participating in physical activity, raising awareness of the social, physical and mental health benefits of ‘active travel’ and promoting independence.
£33,131 was also awarded to Mencap to establish a Gateway Active Centre in Bury. This will enable people with learning disabilities to progress from the Bronze Gateway Award to the Silver Award during what is the second year of funding.
David Nuttall 