Shotton good cause shortlisted for national award

Shotton Boxing Club in Deeside, north east Wales has won a place in the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards 2012 and is calling on local support when public voting opens on 26 June.

The National Lottery Awards recognise the positive impact that Lottery-funded projects - both big and small - make to local communities. Shotton Boxing Club is one of only 10 projects to make it through in the Best Sport Project category in the annual search to find the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects.

Shotton Amateur Boxing Club transformed an old derelict building into an amateur boxing club for the local community to use. The new premises have allowed the club to open seven days a week with a top of the range boxing club with fitness facilities for children and young adults.

Shane Thomas of Shotton Amateur Boxing Club says: "It's brilliant to have been shortlisted, and it's great for amateur boxing. National Lottery funding has helped us keep our club going, and people should vote for us to support a great local cause and that helps keep kids off the street and promotes a healthy lifestyle.

"The club gives young people in Deeside a focus and goals to work to. One overweight seven year old was bullied but, since coming to the club, has lost weight and gained fitness, confidence and friends."

People in Deeside are being urged to help Shotton Boxing Club make it through to the final, which is broadcast live on BBC One later this year. The winning project in each of the categories will receive national recognition at the star-studded event hosted by actor and TV personality John Barrowman and a £2,000 cash prize  to spend on their project.

Actor John Barrowman supports the awards.  He said:"So many lives are being changed by the unsung heroes working with National Lottery funding.  The National Lottery Awards pay tribute to their selfless dedication.  National Lottery players raise a massive £30 million a week for Good Causes across the UK.  They should be proud that they are helping arts, sport, heritage and community groups near them.  Now is the chance for everyone to vote for their local project so it gets national recognition."

There are seven categories in the Awards each reflecting the main areas of Lottery funding: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.

Voting for the semi-finals starts at 9am on Tuesday 26 June and ends at midday on Sunday 22 July. To vote for Shotton Boxing Club call 0844 836 9726 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. Please do not call before lines open as your vote will not be counted but you will be charged for the call.

The three projects in each category with the highest number of votes will go through to the final round of public voting later this summer.