Two neighbours in Leith are celebrating today after learning they have scooped £30,000 each thanks to their postcode.
The windfall comes after EH6 8SF was announced as a winner with People’s Postcode Lottery on Saturday 20th March.
The winners chose to remain anonymous but their prizes will be paid into their bank accounts.
People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson sent his well-wishes to the winners. He said: “Congratulations to our winners in Edinburgh today, what a fantastic surprise to start your weekend! I hope they go and enjoy their winnings and treat themselves to something special.”
People’s Postcode Lottery costs £10 a month to play and there are guaranteed winners every day. People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.
A minimum of 32% of ticket sales goes directly to charities and players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped raise over £700 million to date for thousands of good causes across Britain and internationally.
This draw was promoted on behalf of Postcode Justice Trust which supports organisations including Amnesty International, Helen Bamber Foundation and Thomson Reuters Foundation with regular grant funding.
Children in some of the country’s most deprived areas are to benefit from free organised outdoor play activities aimed at improving their health and wellbeing.
A total of £500,000 is being provided to expand the Outdoor Community Play Fund in 2021-22, which is administered by Inspiring Scotland.
In 2020-21 the fund distributed £380,000 to 23 play charities reaching more than 5,000 children in Scotland’s most deprived communities.
Children’s Minister Maree Todd said: “Protecting children’s right to play has been one of the key priorities in our decision making to suppress transmission of the virus. We understand the value of outdoor play for children’s wellbeing and resilience, as well as their physical and mental health.
“Children and families from more deprived areas can often find it more difficult to access organised outdoor activities, so I’m pleased that this additional funding will help even more children play outside in a safe and fun way.”
Karen Shepherd, Play Development Officer of Aberdeen Play Forum, who were recipients of funding in 2020/21, said: “A lot of parents told us that they and their children had been very isolated and had almost forgotten how to play and socialise with others. Many families do not have access to a garden or safe play space so had been deprived.
“The sessions we were able to put on were welcomed as they gave safe and structured opportunities for those involved, as well as giving parents ideas to engage positively with play at home.”
The financial support has been announced as Play Scotland has published an updated progress report on Scotland’s National Play Strategy.
The report highlights the growing body of evidence on the adverse impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the associated restrictions on children and young people’s wellbeing, resulting from changes to their daily lives including reduced opportunities for play and social interaction with their peers.
The report makes recommendations across eight broad areas:
• refresh the Play Strategy and ensure national and local leadership support a child’s right to play • renew and develop the national and local commitment to outdoor play • listen to children and young people and act on what they say • ensure inclusion of all children and young people • ensure cross sectoral and inter professional approaches to play are in place • sustain and support play provision through adequate funding • maintain a focus on playful learning and play in schools • strengthen the play sector nationally and locally
Resources are also available on the Parent Club website to support outdoor play for all families.
