Lottery hunt for best projects finds lucky 7

A total of seven schemes from across Yorkshire have been selected as semi-finalists for the annual National Lottery Awards.

The Calderdale Council Midnight League, which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour in Halifax through sport, and the Connecting Communities Project in Leeds have been nominated in for the Best Sport Project.

The region-wide Altogether Better Programme has been shortlisted for the Best Health Project, while the Leeds-based Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre is up for the Best Arts Project.

The York-based Quilt Museum and Gallery’s Unfolding the Quilts scheme, which works with volunteers and the wider community, along with Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park, where a major restoration has been undertaken, have been selected in the Best Heritage Project category.

The Open Air Laboratories project (OPAL), run by York University to encourage communities to engage with nature, is competing for the Best Environment Project.

There are seven categories reflecting the main areas of Lottery funding –arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.

Each category’s winner will receive national recognition at a star-studded event later this year, as well as a £2,000 cash prize. Voting starts on Tuesday and runs until June 20. More information is available at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards