Glasgow’s Indepen-dance in the running to win a National Lottery Award

Glasgow charity, Indepen-dance, has reached the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards 2008 and will now battle it out against other Lottery-funded projects from across the UK for the chance to win £2,000 to spend on their project and the opportunity to star in a special prime-time BBC1 TV show.

Indepen-dance is one of only 10 projects to make it through to this stage in the Best Arts Project category and people are being urged to show their support for the charity and register their vote.

Indepen-dance is an independent Glasgow-based charity, providing creative movement and dance classes, as well as training and performance opportunities for people with learning disabilities, their carers and volunteers. Lottery funding from the Scottish Arts Council and Big Lottery Fund has enabled the group to double the number of classes and training courses, as well as invest in new equipment.  The charity now provides nine weekly dance classes at arts venues throughout Glasgow, as well as training workshops in dance and disability in other parts of the UK.

Karen Anderson, Director of Indepen-dance, says: "We're really pleased to have reached the semi-final of The National Lottery Awards, Lottery funding has helped us to develop and grow our project hugely.  We're really hoping the public get behind us and vote!”

Now entering their fifth successful year, the Awards recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects - both large and small - make to local communities, as well as celebrate the achievements of the people behind them. 

The 2008 National Lottery Awards are supported by TV and radio presenter, Gethin Jones.

Gethin says: “Each week Lottery players raise a staggering £25 million for Good Causes and this money helps projects like Hip Bumpers transform the lives of people and places across the UK. 

He continues: “The National Lottery Awards recognise the talent and hard work of the people involved in running Lottery-funded projects just like this one.  We want to thank these everyday heroes by highlighting their fantastic work, so please get behind them and give them your vote today.”

Public voting for the semi-finals starts at 9am on Monday 16 June and ends at midday on Friday 4 July. To register your vote for Indepen-dance call 0845 386 1323 or log on to National Lottery Awards.

The three projects in each category with the highest number of votes will go through to the finals of the Awards and appear on a special BBC1 Saturday night TV show later in the year.
 

Notes to editors

• Kelly Paterson at Geronimo Communications
  T 0131 718 4085/07882 152914 
  E Kelly Paterson  
• Sarah McKenna at the National Lottery Promotions Unit
  T 0141 242 1414/07825 823945
  E Sarah McKenna

Contact email(s)

media.office@scottisharts.org.uk

Issued by: Scottish Arts Council