THE West Berkshire Lottery is celebrating one year since its first draw and a £2,000 winner.

Residents have signed up to the West Berkshire Lottery to help charities in their local community since it was launched in March 2019.

To date, there are 118 local good causes signed up to the West Berkshire Lottery and more than 1,000 players currently supporting the lottery each week.

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So far, the lottery has paid out nearly £20,000 in winnings and has recently celebrated the third £2,000 winner.

The lucky winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I was so surprised to find I’d won £2,000 as I’ve only being playing the lottery for about a year.

“I’d started playing to support Home-Start which is a local charity that I volunteer for.

"I’ve given some of my winnings to Home-Start and some other local charities.

“The lottery is a great way to support local causes!”

The Lottery was started in March 2019 by West Berkshire Council to offer local good causes and charities a fun way to fundraise.

Nearly £62,000 has been paid out in funds to good causes so far.

Grace Green from Home-Start said: “We were delighted to see one of our volunteers had won £2,000 on the lottery.

“The funding we receive from the regular lottery donations is essential to covering some of the day to day costs that keep our charity functioning to support families in need.

“Our lovely volunteer donated £500 of her winnings back to the charity for which we are immensely grateful. It is a great way for our supporters to help our charity for a small sum each week.”

Councillor Ross Mackinnon, Executive member for Finance and Economic Development at West Berkshire Council, added: “To have a collection of 118 varied causes at the end of the first year is great news.

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"These range from wildlife and animal organisations, schools and PTAs, groups for young and elderly people, community groups and charities.

“We know how much of an impact raising funds through the lottery has had for the local charities across the district.

"The more tickets we can sell, then more funds can be raised for all the causes from as little as £5 a month.

“The pandemic has had a huge effect on charities across our community so being a player in the West Berkshire Lottery will help raise money to continue to fund these invaluable services to the communities and residents in West Berkshire.”

Residents and charities can both take part in the lottery.

To find out more visit www.westberkshirelottery.co.uk.