THE latest figures reveal that more than £103 million of National Lottery funding has been invested in Chester and the surrounding area since the National Lottery began almost 25 years ago.

Thanks to National Lottery players, lives of ordinary people have been transformed in the region over the past quarter of a century.

More than 2,000 National Lottery grants have been awarded locally since 1994, helping to strengthen communities, deliver sporting success, protect the environment, unleash local creative talent and look after the elderly and those at risk.

A wide variety of local projects have received National Lottery funding over the last 25 years:

• The largest National Lottery grant in the area was the £5.2 million towards the Lion Salt Works restoration in 2006.

• The first ever National Lottery grant in the area was the £16,310 to extend the pavilion and sports club at Davenham Cricket Club in 1995.

• The majority of National Lottery grants are for less than £10,000 such as the £9,650 to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Chester to train volunteers to provide bereavement support to children in 2016.

Jonathan Tuchner, from the National Lottery, said: “Since its launch 25 years ago, The National Lottery has helped changed lives across the UK. This tremendous work would not be possible without those who play The National Lottery and those do extraordinary things with National Lottery funding. They are transforming their community every day of the week and if you know of one that deserves recognition then please nominate them for a National Lottery Award. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together over the next 25 years.”

Any organisation that has received National Lottery funding, has the chance to gain nationwide acclaim by entering the 25th Birthday National Lottery Awards – our search for the UK’s favourite ever National Lottery-funded projects.

National Lottery Awards winners will receive a £10,000 cash prize and national recognition at a glittering ceremony broadcast on BBC One later in the year.

To enter your favourite project in this year’s National Lottery Awards, complete an entry form through our website https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. Entries must be received by midnight on April 30, 2019.

To thank National Lottery players for making these achievements possible and to celebrate the massive difference The National Lottery has made – and continues to make – to lives of people across the UK, the National Lottery is working on a range of plans in the run-up to the 25th Birthday in November.