Lotto celebrates a county event

As residents and visitors celebrated Lincolnshire Day on Monday – the Big Lottery Fund revealed that South Holland has received a total of £2.6m grant help since the fund was launched.

Lincolnshire as a whole has received more than £70m of Lottery Funding in the 20 years since it started.

Some 250 South Holland projects and 3,000 across the county in total have been helped as a result.

Monday was the official county day and marks the anniversary of the Lincolnshire Rising, a revolt by Catholics against the establishment of Henry VIII’s protestant church in October 1536.

A variety of events were held across the Lincolnshire, including a big event at the county showground.

The Lincolnshire Agricultural Society organised a day of hands-on activities related to food, farming and aviation heritage of the county.

More than £370,000 of National Lottery funding went to Linkage which travels around the county in a sensory bus.

It visits children and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities and older people with dementia, so they can experience stimulating environment.

The inside of the bus is regularly transformed into different themes from ‘under the sea’ to ‘winter wonderland’, created using sounds and projected images made by volunteers.

Niz Smith, project co-ordinator at Linkage, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, our sensory library helps to increase people’s wellbeing, confidence and independence, supporting them to have control over their lives in a safe environment.”

James Harcourt, England grant making director at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “These are just three of many brilliant organisations supporting people in Lincolnshire thanks to National Lottery players. It’s fantastic to be able to shine a light on these incredibly worthwhile projects on Lincolnshire Day, and to celebrate the achievements of people and communities across the county.”