Lottery cash to fund 'Active Lifestyles'

Some of Northern Ireland’s most 'promising' athletes could be on their way to the Olympic Games in China in three years' time thanks to a cash windfall from the Big Lottery Fund.

The largest of the National Lottery Good Cause distributors today announced grants totalling £717,607 under the Active Lifestyles programme to fund innovative physical activities to boost the health of people across Northern Ireland.

Eighteen projects have been awarded funding including Special Olympics Ulster, PHAB NI – Inclusion Matters and Age Concern Northern Ireland.

Big Lottery Fund Northern Ireland board member Dr Sam Burnside welcomed the announcement.

“I am delighted that the Big Lottery Fund has developed this new Active Lifestyles programme," he said. "All of us are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of an active lifestyle and its impact on well-being. I believe that the awards announced today will make a significant difference to the general health of many people across Northern Ireland."

Communities can still apply for funding under the Active Lifestyles programmes to develop innovative community projects across Northern Ireland. These could include finding new ways of attracting older people and people with disabilities to take part in physical activity, supporting family activities and encouraging local people to train as physical activity coaches.

Grants of up to £1,000 for small scale one-year projects can be secured under the Small grants programme with the next closing date for applications being September 30th.

Groups can also apply for grants of between £6,000 and £30,000 to fund larger projects of up to three years. The next closing date is January 31, 2006.

(MB/SP)