Goole Lottery winner could scoop £1,000

Published on 22nd November 2007 in News

Residents are being urged to take part in a lottery which will benefit the local community and give them a chance of winning £1,000.

The first draw of the Goole and District Lottery, a not-for-profit organisation, will take place on February 27, when one person will scoop £1,000.

Weekly draws for the same prize will follow and the proceeds will go to community and loan funds, which will benefit organisations and individuals in Goole.

It has been set up by Investing in Goole Society Limited.

Roger Millar, of Goole Development Trust, said: "It's our intention to make a draw every week so that someone wins £1,000.

"We hope it will grow, and hope to increase the prize money, and then to have a second and third prize, and special draws at Christmas and the New Year.

"The odds are tremendous compared to the National Lottery."

All the proceeds are going into Goole and the surrounding area but the lottery will be open to anyone in the country.

After prizes and expenses have been deducted, around 15 per cent of the proceeds will go to a community fund, and the rest to a loan fund.

"The key thing will be to be build up a long-term fund," said Mr Millar.

"The community fund will be for local groups that can't get funding from other sources - perhaps a Brownie group needs some kit for £500 and they've only raised £400. We could give them the rest. Or we could help a local football team buy a new kit or The Courtyard stage a special event.

"It could even be used for individuals in certain circumstances - maybe a gifted musician at a local school needs a good-quality flute."

The loan fund is for businesses who are unable to access funding through the normal routes. Loans of up to £10,000 will be offered, for a period of up to three years, with a capital interest repayment holiday of up to six months available. They will be approved by the Goole and District Lottery Board of Directors, which is made up of representatives from organisations and businesses in Goole.

Explaining how the lottery came to be set up, Mr Millar said: "We started thinking about it well over a year ago."

Similar lotteries have already been set up in Pembrokeshire and the Isle of Wight.

"We tried to work out whether it was a good thing for Goole. Then we looked to see what we could do and how we could do it.

"It took us a year to research the numbers and costs. I then took it through my board of directors and enlisted the support of Ian Cawsey [MP for Brigg and Goole].

"We had to get a licence from the Gambling Commission to run the lottery and were told it would take six to 12 months - but we got ours inside three months.

"We were surprised but very pleased that it had come through so quickly."

Goole MP Ian Cawsey has already declared his support for the project, saying: "I have been involved with the development of the lottery and think it is a wonderful idea for Goole.

"It is fantastic that all the proceeds will go into supporting the starting up of new business and projects in Goole who will receive interest free loans to help generate new jobs, profits and prosperity for the area.

'I hope it is supported by local people and is a big success."

The minimum entry fee will be £1 per week, payable by cheque, postal order or standing order every four, 13, 26 or 52 weeks.

Application forms will be available at Goole Town Council's Christmas lights switch-on, on Friday November 30. Look out for staff with blue jackets.

Alternatively, pick up a form from the council offices on Gladstone Terrace, by calling 0800 8766 880 or from www.gooleanddistrictlottery.org.uk

Players will be able to sign up any time up to three weeks before the first draw, and then any subsequent draws. The winning numbers will be published in the Goole Times.