Kirsty calls for votes in National Lottery 'Good Causes' Awards

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th Jun 2009

Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon and Radnorshire has voted in the National Lottery 'Good Causes Awards' and is urging her constituents to do the same.

The National Lottery Awards are an annual search to find the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects. The winning projects, across the seven award categories, will receive national recognition on a special BBC 1 TV show later this year, and a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project

Kirsty Williams said: "I have already voted online for the good causes that have reached the semi-final stage and I would urge everyone to go out and vote for their favourite projects. The Awards help to raise awareness of the fantastic work being carried out across the UK with lottery funding, and to give back to the organisation and individuals who are improving the lives of so many in communities across Wales.

"Gofal Cymru's Community Crisis House is a ground breaking project which offers a community-based alternative to psychiatric hospital admission. They offer a rounded and holistic support service which helps people with mental health problems to recovery without having to go to hospital.

"I have therefore given my vote to Gofal Cymru in the category for Best Health Project and I hope that as many people as possible will do likewise."

"I have been lucky enough to take part in Mencap Cymru's 'Partners in Politics' project over recent years. Last year I took part in a very successful Q&A session at Ysgol Penmaes under the scheme, which helps people with a learning disability to stand up for themselves and to engage with civil society and politics in Wales. I have therefore given my vote for 'Partners in Politics' in the award for Best Charity or Voluntary Project.

"Every vote counts so please support Partners in politics and Gofal Cymru and vote."

Notes:

There are a total of 70 projects in the semi-finals - 10 in each of the seven categories. The public can vote from 9am on 22 June and any vote cast before midday on 10 July will be counted

The three projects with the most votes in each category will go through to the final round of public voting

Final

There will be a total of 21 projects in the finals - three in each of the seven categories. The public can vote from 9am on 3 August and any vote cast before midday on 14 August will be counted

There will be only one winner in each category. The seven winners will be announced during a special BBC 1 television programme transmitted later in the year

Further information on the 'National Lottery Good Causes' Awards can be found at http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards/