The first draw for the new West Berkshire Lottery is now just a few days away!

The first West Berkshire Lottery draw takes place in just a few days with the lottery set to raise more than £40,000 for local good causes in its first year. So far 78 charities and good causes have already signed up and more than 1,300 tickets bought for the weekly draw.

Three of the local good causes to have signed up so far include Swings and Smiles, The Living Rainforest and City Arts Newbury.

Swings and Smiles is based in Thatcham and provides a specialist service for children and young people with special needs and disabilities and their families at their centre in Thatcham and with their outreach programme. Laura Lewis, Charity Director at Swings and Smiles said:

“We provide a place to play to children with special needs and their families, with a great playroom, outdoor space and we do lots of fun activities. We have signed up to the lottery because we want to raise more funds so we can continue to provide these activities and this really vital support.” 

The Living Rainforest is based in Hampstead Norreys and run by a small team of staff and volunteers. It’s home to more than 700 plants and animals, including rare and endangered species. Ruth Larkin, Director of Development at The Living Rainforest said:

“We signed up to the lottery as it seems like a really good opportunity to raise some extra funds for the Living Rainforest. We have around 100k visitors every year, lots coming from the local community and 25k school visitors who come to learn about our plants and animals. We also teach them about sustainability and climate change to address those important issues.”

City Arts Newbury provides a much loved art and community resource. They are planning to upgrade their building to create a Community Art Hub for all in to access. Diane Pattenden, the Chair of Trusties at City Arts Newbury said:

“We have signed up to the West Berkshire Lottery to raise funds to renovate our old chapel, which needs to be warm and welcoming for everybody in the community to come and enjoy art. Maybe just to come for a coffee and friendship and maybe become an accidental artist! Making it a community hub of art for everybody!”

The first draw is this Saturday at 8pm. Buy your ticket online or call 01635 597111

(Pictured L-R: Georgia (7) and Volunteer Dan enjoy an afternoon of play at Swing and Smiles; Alfie (12) on a tour of the glass house at The Living Rainforest; The Newbury Art Collective at their recent exhibition at City Arts Newbury)