Ashford Community Lottery launches

Registration is now open for voluntary and community sector groups based in Ashford to sign up to receive funds through the weekly online Ashford Community Lottery, with tickets available for players soon.

Good causes (as they are called in the lottery scheme) can join the lottery and have their own webpage created on the Ashford Community Lottery website.

For each £1 ticket bought by players through their webpage 60p will be kept by the good cause to spend as they wish. The remaining 40p is put towards prizes, operating costs and VAT.

For good causes to register, it’s free and only takes a couple of minutes, first head to the Ashford Community Lottery website, click ‘Are you a good cause?’ in the top menu and then ‘Start Raising Money’. You will then be taken through the registration process. Each registered good cause will have access to their own marketing materials to encourage more supporters.   

Players will be able to support Ashford borough charities and good causes whilst being in with a chance to win up £25,000 for the jackpot. There will also be smaller prizes for matching the first or last two to five numbers. The draw takes place weekly at 8pm on Saturdays.

The Ashford Community Lottery tickets for players are available to purchase from 15 February 2022, with the first draw taking place on 19 March 2022, so make sure you sign up to this great opportunity to receive support from players.

Cllr Mathew Forest, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, said: "The pandemic has jeopardised income for many organisations that rely on fundraising events or face to face collections.

“The community lottery offers an exciting new way for good causes and charities to engage with their supporters and raise funds to ensure they can continue their crucial and highly appreciated work across the borough of Ashford.

“I encourage eligible organisations to come forward and register, as similar schemes elsewhere have been highly successful in raising revenue."

The lottery is being managed by external company Gatherwell, who manage over 100 local community lotteries across the UK.

Phil Wright, Gatherwell’s Senior Manager, Commercial said: “We are delighted that Gatherwell has been awarded the opportunity to run the new Ashford Community Lottery. We are looking forward to helping support Ashford borough causes in partnership with Ashford Borough Council.”

You can find out more about the lottery, and see how good causes can sign up at Ashford Community Lottery website or email the community lottery team or call the customer support line 01233 514015.