Ullapool creel Christmas tree and festive lights win £38k National Lottery People's Projects grant after successful public vote through STV North
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AMBITIOUS plans to expand Ullapool's festive light displays and work towards a winter festival have received a £38,000 cash boost from the National Lottery.
The Light Up Ullapool project, by Ullapool Fire & Light Fund, has been granted £37,820 to expand the group's Christmas Creel tree display and erect lights throughout the village – including schools and nursing homes.
The group will also be able to organise a Winter Market involving local producers and performers which will help to strengthen community ties and bring people together.
The cash was awarded through the lottery's People's Projects scheme, which saw viewers in STV North vote for their favourite grant hopeful from a final shortlist of five.
Each of the hopefuls was featured on STV's evening news bulletin, giving the public an opportunity to decide where the cash should go.
And Ullapool was one of the three lucky winners, alongside Skilz Academy in Arbroath and Create Aberdeen – which were handed £49,988 and £43,052 respectively.
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.
