Tag: Peoples Postcode Lottery

Travel back in time at the National Museum of Flight this October

Visitors to the National Museum of Flight this half term can travel back in time to experience life on the Second World War airfield.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, families will be transported to the 1940s with new activities, tours and opportunities to learn wartime espionage skills from 16 Oct – 18 Oct 2024.

Set on one of the best-preserved Second World War airfields in the UK, half-term activities will bring this extraordinary history to life with costumed interpreters and genuine military flying equipment from the period.

SPITFIRE TAKES PRIDE OF PLACE IN THE NEW HANGER AT THE MUSEUM OF FLIGHT, EAST FORTUNE.

Visitors can discover real stories from the Second World War in Scotland with clothing and equipment worn and used by RAF Coastal Command pilots during the Second World War as well as tour the newly refurbished blast and air raid shelters.

Families will also be able to learn some of the skills needed by Special Operations Executive reconnaissance organisations, some of whom trained in nearby Belhaven in East Lothian, as part of the Special Operations Executive Skills sessions.

The support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery means that Half term: Second World War Scotland is free with Museum admission.

Steve McLean, General Manager at the National Museum of Flight, said: “As one of Scotland’s best days out, the National Museum of Flight is the perfect destination for families this half-term.

“We are delighted to be able to offer these free activities thanks to the generous support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery and I hope our visitors will enjoy learning about the Second World War in Scotland.”

The National Museum of Flight is home to a world class collection of aircraft, from a Supermarine Spitfire to Scotland’s only Concorde. The attraction houses the family-friendly Fantastic Flight gallery with its interactive exhibits where visitors can explore the science of aviation and discover how aircraft fly.

They are also able to learn more about East Fortune’s wartime heritage in the Museum’s Fortunes of War exhibition.

Funds are raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded through Postcode Culture Trust.

Letter: Players of People’s Postcode Lottery support kittens in need

Dear Editor, 

With kitten season now in full swing across the UK, I would like to say a huge thank you to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for helping us look after kittens and cats in need. 

Last year we saw a 14% increase in unwanted litters coming into our care. This summer and beyond, we anticipate hundreds of kittens needing to be looked after by our expert teams.  

We work hard to be there for every cat that needs us. For mother cats and kittens, this includes extra food to keep cats’ energy levels high after giving birth as well as regular veterinary check-ups for mum and her litter. Our teams also hand-feed newborn kittens if the mother isn’t producing enough milk. 

This is why we are so grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for raising more than £9.9 million to support the work of Cats Protection since 2018. Together we are making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats. 

Anyone wishing to adopt a cat or support Cats Protection, or seeking advice on cat welfare, can find out more at cats.org.uk  

Yours sincerely, 

John May 

Chief Executive, Cats Protection 

Letters: Thanks from Cats Protection

Dear Editor

I would like to send my personal thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who have been supporting Cats Protection since 2018.

During that time, funds raised by players have enabled us to help and care for around 10,000 cats and kittens in our adoption centres across England, Scotland and Wales, while they await their forever homes.

In addition, they have also helped us provide cat behaviour expertise to our cat care volunteers and staff and adopters; run our Paws to Listen grief support service to help bereaved cat owners; and speak up for cats to help create positive change for cat welfare via our advocacy work.

Thank you to all the players of People’s Postcode Lottery for your ongoing support. Together we create a better world for cats.

Anyone wishing to adopt a cat or support Cats Protection, or seeking advice on cat welfare, can find out more at www.cats.org.uk

John sig

Yours sincerely,

John May,

Chief Executive, Cats Protection

Learn sea survival skills at National Museum of Flight this half term

Families can test their sea survival skills at the National Museum of Flight this half term. Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, special workshops and activities will take place at the museum in East Lothian on 15 & 16 and 22 & 23 October.

Sea Survival will offer visitors the opportunity to get hands-on and discover skills and equipment used by RAF’s Coastal Command.

Outdoor workshops will teach children aged 7 and up how to survive on a desert island, from safely lighting a fire to bushcraft.

Families can also climb aboard a real-life raft in the Concorde Hangar and handle equipment used by the RAF from the Second World War to the modern day, before exploring the historic airfield and hangars filled with fascinating aircraft and interactive displays.

The support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery means that Sea Survival is free with museum admission.

Steve Mclean, General Manager at the National Museum of Flight, said: “We are delighted to offer free family activities this half term, thanks to the generous support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

“We hope our young visitors will enjoy diving into the stories and skills of the RAF’s Coastal Command while exploring everything the National Museum of Flight has to offer.”

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “This Sea Survival event is a fascinating and fun way to learn about the history of the RAF’s Coastal Command.

“We are thrilled that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are supporting this brilliant programme of family activities at the Museum this half term. Player support has enabled many such initiatives. To date, players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised over £900 million for thousands of good causes”

Visitors to the National Museum of Flight this October can also take part in Operation Sabotage, Scotland’s only escape room experience on an historic airfield. Taking place on 29 and 30 October, the experience is suitable for those aged 14 and over.

For more information and to book, visit nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events. 

The Museum is home to Scotland’s only Concorde and visitors can see an example of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire that played such an important role in the Second World War.

The attraction houses the family-friendly Fantastic Flight gallery with its interactive exhibits where visitors can explore the science of aviation and discover how aeroplanes fly.

They are also able to learn about East Fortune’s wartime heritage in the Museum’s Fortunes of War exhibition.

National Galleries of Scotland gifts art packs to young Ukranian refugees

Three thousand art packs for refugees and asylum seekers have been made by the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Intended as a warm welcome to people arriving in Scotland who have fled conflict or persecution, they are being gifted in partnership with several charities and local authorities.

A large group of Ukrainian children and young people recently picked up their packs at an art workshop at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

Organised by NGS and Dnipro Kids, a charity which supports orphanage children from Ukraine, activities across the day included an introduction to painting with their new watercolour sets, clay sculpture making and exploring the gallery spaces.

Thousands of the packs have been shared among other charities, including Aberlour Scottish Guardianship Service, Scottish Refugee Council, SCOREscotland, Cyrenians and The Welcoming. Local authorities across the country have also assisted in distributing the art materials to refugees and asylum seekers in their areas.

The packs contain 10 high-quality postcards showing artworks from the national collection, specially chosen for the children and young people receiving the packs. The images were selected with the intention of providing hope, to spark their curiosity and to introduce them to Scottish culture.

For instance, Una and the Lion (c. 1860) by William Bell Scott draws on the story of a brave young girl undertaking a frightening journey on her own. The packs also contain a sketchbook, pencil, colouring pens, a watercolour set and paint brush.

Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “It is a privilege for the National Galleries of Scotland to play a small part in extending a warm welcome to the people who will receive the art packs, and we very much hope they enjoy getting creative with them.

“We are also grateful to the charity and local authority partners who are helping us with distribution. We would welcome hearing from other such organisations should they be interested in requesting art packs for their beneficiaries.”

Steven Carr, Chair of Dnipro Kids said: “We’re very grateful to the National Galleries for their help. This art packs and visit have been wonderfully stimulating for the kids, who have enjoyed themselves immensely.

“The welcome and kindness from the people of Scotland continues to amaze us all, and this is another example of how people have opened their hearts to our group.”

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said; “We are pleased that players of People Postcode Lottery support the National Galleries of Scotland in extending a warm welcome to children and young people forced to flee from danger in their home countries.

“We hope the art packs offer all recipients the opportunity to spend some time getting creative as they settle in here in Scotland.”

Pictures: Roberto Ricciuti.

Hearts & Minds receive £21,605 from People’s Postcode Trust

Grant will support Clowndoctor visits at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children & Young People

The Clowndoctors will be delivering smiles every week at the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People thanks to support of the People’s Postcode Trust.

The People’s Postcode Trust is a grant-giving charity funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Our organisation received £21,605 from the Trust to enable us to deliver weekly Clowndoctor visits at the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People, Edinburgh (formerly The Sick Kids)

Hearts & Minds believe that meaningful human connection is vital for wellbeing, and that this is especially important when we are at our most vulnerable. Through the art of therapeutic clowning Hearts & Minds Clowndoctors connect with children and their families who might be facing anxiety, stress, and feelings of isolation while the child is receiving treatment in hospital.

Recently the Clowndoctors were able to visit Robbie at the RHCYP, where he has been for some weeks. Robbie knows the Clowndoctors well from seeing them at the Royal Blind School, Edinburgh and he calls them his friends.

The Clowndoctors were delighted to visit him in hospital and play his favourite game of “BOO!’ Dr Mousse also recorded a special message for Robbie which he has saved on his phone so he can listen to as often as he likes.

Richard Dalgleish, Robbie’s dad, said: “We wanted to say a big thank you to Dr Mousse and Dr Cous Cous for taking the time to say hello to Robbie when we met the Clowndoctors at the Royal, Edinburgh a few weeks back.

“Even though Robbie is far from well, it was lovely for Robbie to hear from people he knows well from the Sick Kids and from visits to the Royal Blind School. 

“Robbie has been in hospital now for 6 weeks and has had 3 operations. The Clowndoctors have visited him regularly and their visits have given him a much-needed boost. Thank you for all the work that you do.”

Rachel Colles, Joint Artistic lead at Hearts & Minds, commented: “It has been a privilege to visit Robbie over many years. We started visiting him when he was a pupil at the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh.

“We built up a great relationship playing with Robbie’s love of slapstick, surprises and words. Robbie loves to send the Clowndoctors flying around and surprising them with a big boo. We felt we had a strong and special connection.

“When Robbie left school, we did not see him anymore, so it was a real pleasure to bump into him and his parents at the hospital and were very happy to arrange a couple of visits on his adult ward. It was great to get the opportunity to visit him in this new setting and be welcomed by the staff on the ward where our visits were seen as a bit of colour and change in their day.

“As Clowndoctors these long-term relationships are very valuable to us and makes me personally very happy when we see children and young people who we know so well and be a positive part of their experience of health care settings.”

Sean Donnelly, Interim CEO, Hearts & Minds said: “We are delighted to receive this funding from People’s Postcode Trust to allow us to continue with much needed weekly Clowndoctor visits to the young people at the hospital in Edinburgh.

“These visits will deliver much needed laughter, fun and imagination to children who face anxiety while undergoing treatment for their illness.”

Please click the links for more information on People’s Postcode Trust www.postcodetrust.org.uk and People’s Postcode Lottery www.postcodelottery.co.uk

Five ways to keep your furry friends safe from unexpected dangers in your garden

As we approach the last week of summer, many people are still enjoying the warmer weather and spending some much-needed time outdoors with our furry friends.

For those lucky to have one, we might like to think of our gardens as our own little haven – but the same doesn’t always apply for our pets.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing shares her five top tips for protecting your pets from hidden hazards:  

1. Avoid poisonous plants

“Though they might be beautiful to look at, some plants and flowers are best kept well away from our pets. It’s shocking to know that common garden flowers like hydrangea, foxgloves, lily of the valley and geraniums contain toxins that can be very dangerous for our curious companions if they decide to try and eat them. It’s always worthwhile to check that any plants you’re about to pot are pet-safe – so that your borders are both a beautiful sight and a safe environment.

2. Switch to natural pest control

“Although slugs and snails are the bane of a gardener’s life, before reaching for the chemicals, remember that pesticides can be equally harmful to your pets as they can be to the pests. Instead, encourage natural predators like hedgehogs, frogs and toads to keep unwanted diners away. Try planting sacrificial plants to keep insects away from your prized bloomers and vegetables or just simply rely on birds to gobble up pests, by making your garden bird friendly. These are all safer options for you and your pet but it’s a good idea to keep your furry friends away from the helpful wildlife! 

3. Pet-friendly resting spots

“Four-legged family members can easily overheat on warmer days, so make sure there are plenty of shady spots where they can relax. Trees and large shrubs create great shade, but you can also set up shelters or drape sheets over the end of an exercise run for smaller pets. If your pet enjoys sunbathing on the lawn, don’t forget that they might be at risk of sunburn and you might need to apply pet-safe suncream, especially to areas with thin or light coloured fur. If your garden is more of a wildflower meadow, be careful to direct your dog away from those long grasses. Long grass can attract lots of wildlife which means your pet could come into contact with ticks, and long eared grass seeds which can work their way into places where they shouldn’t be, which might result in vet help to get them removed.

4. A protected pond

“Ponds are great for wildlife and can transform your garden into a haven for frogs, newts and all kinds of insects. Despite this, they can sometimes be a hazard for curious cats, dogs and rabbits. It’s a good idea to fence around the area or fit a guard on top or maybe have multiple shallower, small ponds that are great for wildlife and safer for your pets to be around. These handy protections will prevent any unexpected guests from falling in the water, especially those furry friends who may be too curious for their own good. Don’t forget to give your pet another source of fresh water instead!

5. Secure the perimeter

“A sturdy fence will help prevent pets from being able to squeeze through any gaps or holes and go on an unplanned adventure. Don’t forget that small gaps in damaged fencing could trap your pet’s foot or nose if they start to get curious and small pets can dig and create their own holes if they don’t have a safe outlet for their behaviour, such as a dig box.

As well as keeping your pet safely inside the garden, a secure fence will also assist in keeping out predators like foxes, allowing smaller pets to roam safely. Ensuring that a fence is tall enough is equally important, as it will prevent any curious four-legged friends from attempting a great escape.”

PDSA is the UK’s largest vet charity. We’re on a mission to improve pet wellbeing through prevention, education and treatment.

Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information. 

www.pdsa.org.uk

Letters: Children need our support, says NSPCC Scotland

Dear Editor,

Since April last year, our trained Childline counsellors have delivered more than 73,000 counselling sessions with young people who were struggling with their mental and emotional health. And more than 5,000 of these counselling sessions were with children aged 11 or under, an increase of nearly a third when compared to the year before.

However, as a charity that receives 90% of our income from the public, we know this is something we have not achieved alone, and we are hugely grateful for the dedication and commitment of our supporters, which allow us to continue this work.

One way that the public can support us is through the People’s Postcode Lottery, and since 2018, players have provided crucial funding to the sum of almost £6 million to the NSPCC to help the charity keep children safe and well.

The funds have been used to support our vital services across Scotland. This includes our schools service programme, helping primary school children speak out and stay safe from abuse, and our service centre in Govan, Glasgow, providing therapeutic services to families. And, of course, Childline, which provides free and confidential counselling to children and young people in need of support.

Childline is a lifeline for many children and over the past year thousands of young people have needed it more than ever due to the challenges they have faced during the pandemic. Local lockdowns, school closures, isolation and the impact of being separated from family and friends led many children to get in touch with the service over the phone or online.

The money raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery has been invaluable in helping our frontline staff be here for children during their darkest hours.

Moving forward, as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, it remains vital that children and young people know where they can access help and support.

We can only make a difference for children together, and we simply couldn’t continue to run services like Childline without the public’s support.

To find out more about how you could help us be there for children through fundraising, get in touch at ScotlandFundraisingTeam@nspcc.org.uk

Paul Cockram,

Head of Fundraising for NSPCC Scotland

Volunteer day at cat adoption centre leads to a new feline friend for Edinburgh worker

What was meant to be just a day of volunteering for an Edinburgh worker at an animal adoption centre, soon turned into a promising future for a stray kitten.

42-year-old Kenneth Lennon, who works as a customer experience agent at Edinburgh-based People’s Postcode Lottery, fell in love with kitten, Layla from Cats Protection’s adoption centre in Glasgow, after spending a day volunteering there.

The charity is one of many supported by the lottery’s players, with team members getting to spend two days of their annual working hours volunteering at nearby good causes.

The black-and-white kitten born to a stray mum has been the perfect addition to the family for animal lover Kenneth, and a much-needed companion for Kenneth’s other cat, Bill.

Kenneth said: “After volunteering for a day at the centre through my role at People’s Postcode Lottery, I knew that I wanted to rehome a cat from there. The team is so knowledgeable and clearly dedicated to what they do.

“I got my Bill and his sister Bonnie as kittens 12 years ago. Sadly, we recently lost Bonnie, and while I know many cats are perfectly happy being on their own, Bill does seem to enjoy the company of other cats. Since we moved to a house with a bigger garden, I often see him following the neighbouring cats around, so I had a feeling he would take well to having a new cat in the house.”

“We met Layla virtually and decided straight away that we wanted to adopt her,” added Kenneth. “We had been thinking of naming her Luna but as I’m a big fan of Eric Clapton, and his song of the same name, we decided to keep her name as it was.”

While Bill did not immediately take to the new arrival, following advice from the centre team about how to manage gradual introductions, the two are now happily playing together and sleeping close to one another.

“I think having Layla around has given Bill a new lease of life as he’s not played this much in ages. They’re like two peas in a pod!” Kenneth said.

Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised over £3.5 million for Cats Protection. To find out more about how players are supporting the charity, click here: https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/good-causes/charities/cats-protection

For details of cats in need of homes visit the centre’s website at www.org.uk/glasgowac.

Edinburgh neighbours scoop £30,000 each in Lottery win

Three Edinburgh neighbours are celebrating today after learning they have won a £30,000 cash prize each with People’s Postcode Lottery.

The win comes after their postcode, EH17 7QZ,was announced as a winner with the lottery on Thursday 27th May.

Cindy Simpson (63) was among the winners and on seeing her prize cheque for £30,000 she said: “Oh wow, oh my God! I was only thinking it would be £1,000. I’m shaking. That’s amazing. My heart’s going bom-bom-bom!”

When asked how she might spend her winnings, Cindy added: “I don’t know honestly! I want to give my kids some money.

“If there’s anything left over for me, I’ll get a car and I’ll get a new suite for my living room.”

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.

Cindy was thrilled to hear about the good work being supported and had a special fondness for one of the causes that has received funding from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

She said: “I want to give something to PDSA. They helped my dog when she was needing it. They were so good, I’m always handing stuff into them. Every time I win anything, no matter how big it is I always try to give them something.”

PDSA has received over £11.6 million in funding from players of the lottery to date.

The other winners chose to remain anonymous but their winnings will be transferred into their bank accounts.

The lottery’s visit to the Edinburgh street followed social distancing guidelines and People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson didn’t attend in person but sent his congratulations to the winners.

He said: “I am so happy for Cindy and our other Edinburgh winners today, what an amazing surprise for them. I hope they enjoy their winnings and go and treat themselves to a special something to celebrate.”

Everyday throughout the May draws one postcode will be announced as a £30,000 prize winner. All the players in the postcode will win £30,000 for every ticket they hold.

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.

This draw was promoted on behalf of Postcode Justice Trust which supports organisations including Helen Bamber Foundation, Women for Women International and Peace Direct with regular grant funding.