Lottery boost for local groups

On Saturday, live on national television and in front of a celebrity audience with millions watching at home, the ‘We Were Brothers’ project from Londonderry and the Dungiven-based help group ‘Hands That Talk’ were the winners of their respective categories in the annual Lottery Awards.

Hosted by Mylene Klass the star-studded show celebrated the work of a total of 21 Lottery-funded projects from across the UK, but just seven were honoured with an award, as voted for by the general public.

‘We Were Brothers: WW1 A Shared Heritage’ project, spearheaded by Londonderry playwright and author Felicity McCall took the first place in the Best Heritage Project, while ‘Hands that Talk’ won the Best Voluntary/Charity Project.

Hosted by Myleene Klass, the star-studded celebrity event will celebrate the work of the 22 shortlisted Lottery-funded projects and reveal the results of a public vote that has decided the winning project in each of the seven categories.

Delighted with her win, Ms McCall said: “The We Were Brothers team are making their way back home with the National Lottery 2011 Heritage Award.

“Already we have been thrilled by the many, many messages of congratulations and goodwill. It was made possible by your votes for us, and your commitment to the project and its ethos of reconciliation and shared history. We are privileged to accept in on your behalf and hope as many as possible of you will join us at the Alley, Strabane, on Friday, November 11, at 8pm or the Waterside Theatre on Friday, November 18, at 8pm. Together, we did it,” she said.

Meanwile, the Dungiven project which offers support to deaf people across the North West, was announced as a winner with the ‘Breaking down the barriers to Social Inclusion’ project which won the Best Voluntary/Charity Project category during the star-studded BBC1 programme.

Hands That Talk’s project aims to improve the quality of life for deaf people by providing access to employment, education and services.

It has also enabled the Deaf Community to experience a much more deaf aware society where communication barriers have been broken down and opportunities exist for personal growth and confidence building. The project has helped to train much needed new interpreters, giving the Deaf Community increased access to communication support.

Frank Hewitt, the Big Lottery Fund Northern Ireland chairman, said: “I am delighted that Hands That Talk has been recognised for its excellent work at this year’s National Lottery Awards. I hope that project beneficiaries, volunteers and employees take time out to celebrate the positive difference they are making to their community and their success helps them attract further support from the community around them.”