News Town set for first local lottery draw
The ball is set to roll on the inaugural Goole Lottery.
And Goole MP Ian Cawsey is expected to make the first draw at Goole Town Hall next Wednesday, February 27.
Organisers are predicting that the Lottery - which was set up by Investing in Goole Society Limited - will prove a big draw.
They say it could also provide a £300,00-a-year boost to the local economy while providing a lifeline to community groups in desperate need of funding.
Goole Lottery promoter Brian Robertson, chairman of organisers the Goole Development Trust (GDT), said: "We're all ready to go and if it really takes off we could see a real boost to the local economy."
Mr Robertson's estimations are based on the experiences of Lottery managers in Pembrokshire, Wales, where the local economy has been boosted to the tune of £300,000 a year.
Apart from Goole and Pembrokeshire, only the Isle of Wight has its own indpendent Lottery.
"Hopefully, the first draw will be made by Ian Cawsey - he would be ideal because he has given so much support to the project," said Mr Robertson.
The subsequent weekly draws will be made by the previous winner.
There will be a prize of £1,000 for the winner, and it's hoped the prize money will steadily be increased.
Organisers are also hoping to hold Christmas and New Year draws.
So far between 250 and 300 tickets have been sold for the first draw.
Roger Millar, manager of the GDT, said: "The odds are tremendous compared with the National Lottery!"
Although anyone in the country can take part in the lottery all proceeds will go towards worthy causes in Goole and the surounding areas.
Among those likely to benefit are local sports, arts, heritage and theatre groups, as well as small businesses and Brownie and Scout organisations.
Gifted musicians struggling for cash may also be chosen as beneficiaries.
After prizes and expenses have been deducted, around 15 per cent of the lottery proceeds will go into a community fund, and the rest to a loan fund.
The loan fund is for businesses which are unable to get funding through the normal routes. Loans of up to £10,000 will be offered for a period of up to three years.
They will be approved by the District Lottery Board of Directors, which is made up of representatives from local organisations and businesses in Goole.
Organisers have obtained a licence from the Gambling Commission to host the lottery, whose 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 are available at Goole Town Council's offices on Gladstone Terrace. Alternatively, call: 0800 8766 880 or visit: www.gooleanddistrictlottery.org.uk.
Players can sign up to the lottery any time up to three weeks before each draw. Tickets will be available for the first draw up unto and including February 27.
Published on 21st February 2008 in News.
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