Press Release

Mayor backs projects bids for People’s Millions

Wednesday 14th November 2007

The Mayor Alderman Drew Thompson has pledged his support for two local groups who have been nominated to the People’s Millions National Lottery Final Draw.

The Bonds Street Community Association and Playtrail’s Green Fingers Project are both looking for the local community to back them in their bid to secure funding. Both projects need your vote, Foyleview School on Tuesday 27th and Bonds Street on Wednesday 28th November.

Foyleview School Green Fingers Project aims to create a horticultural and education garden in the city. Tuesday 27th November is the day to support this project. If successful the garden will receive £9,000 and will have a number of distinct elements including a Community Allotment Scheme, Raised Bed Garden, Equipment Store, two Poly tunnels, wild flower meadow including a nature pond and a Communal Meeting Place.

The Mayor said the project was very worthwhile as it aims to develop healthy eating and exercise activities building upon existing curriculum activity and programmes to reduce childhood obesity; “It is hoped that these programmes will involve a cross section of children and young people from Nursery through to Secondary / Grammar while also developing intergenerational programmes in partnership with local established groups”.

The Bonds Street Community Association are seeking funds for a new playpark and are appealing for a public support for Wednesday 28th November. Backing the need for a playpark in Bond Street, the Mayor said there is a real need for facilities for young people in the area: “The Bond Street area is a dense housing area close to busy roads. An upgraded playpark will create a welcoming space for families and bring needed investment to community facilities in that area”.

A vote for this project would provide £80,000 of play equipment for the children of the Bonds Street area. Good quality, durable play equipment will be provided that can be used by all children including those with special needs. The design of the area will ensure maximum inclusion of those young people with special needs. If Bonds Street are successful in securing this funding, Derry City Council will match it by one third.

The phone number to vote on both projects with will be available in the Daily Mirror on the day of the voting or can be accessed from the website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/peoplesmillions . The projects will be showcased on UTV Live at 5.30pm on the day and votes will be recorded up to midnight.

The city is also in the running for an additional £1.2million if the Sustrans Connect2 project is successful. Similar to Foyleview School and Bonds Street Community Centre, the success of the project will be decided by public vote. Connect2 will help create new cycleways and pathways along the east bank of the River Foyle and connectivity to a proposed to foot and cycle bridge across the river. On-line public voting for Connect2 commences on Monday 26th November 2007 via www.thepeoples50million.org.uk with details of the public telephone vote announced on Friday 07th December 2007.

The Mayor urged public support saying that a vote for all projects will bring additional funding to the City.

“Bonds Street, Playtrail and Connect2 projects are competing within their own categories and against other projects across the UK. There is no direct competition between each city project as their public vote of support takes place on different days. Therefore I am asking the public to take time out to vote for each of these projects and help bring this funding to the city”.

Ends

Notes to Editor:

The Big Lottery Fund rolls out close to £2 million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours, which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project.

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888 Out of hours: 07867 500 572

Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030 Textphone: 08456 021 659

Ends

For additional information contact:

Press Office

return to previous page