Lottery support is a big help for Harris

A campaign has been launched to raise awareness about the impact of the Western Isles Lifestyle Lottery’s investment in Harris, and encourage more players to take part to raise money to support community activities and events.

The Leverburgh hub received WI Lottery funding in 2020. This photo was taken before the renovations

Over the last seven years, the weekly not-for-profit lottery has funded initiatives from Christmas lights upgrades and festive celebrations in Tarbert and Leverburgh, to play equipment for Scalpay and the Shackleton plane crash me-morial at Northton. Agricultural Shows and Harris Football Club have also benefited.

It is hoped that by raising the lottery’s profile and number of local players, this year will see larger amounts raised, so that many more Harris projects can be supported. From each £1 ticket sold, at least 55p is set aside to be invested back in the area it came from. So far, more than £25,000 has been distributed across Harris.

The lottery is drawn on Saturday nights at 8pm. As well as three cash prize winners per week (including three from Harris already this year) there are monthly super draws.

Founder Janet Paterson says: “From the beginning we were committed not just to supporting Western Isles projects, but to making sure that money invested went back into the communities it came from. As well as players from across Lewis and Harris, the Uists and Barra, we are supported by players from further afield, including islanders who have moved away but want to continue to contribute.”

Harris Football Club receives a cheque in 2019

Any lottery funds ring-fenced for Harris are overseen by Harris Voluntary Service, which welcomes applications that fit the criteria for support. These include: projects which

create a more pleasing environment, upgrading current facilities, providing additional recreational activities, encouraging residents to work together to upgrade their environment, and supporting integration, social cohesion and employment creation.

Overall, the lottery has raised and distributed more than £500,000 throughout the islands. While much finance goes to small-scale projects, it has also been behind large events such as the Tattoo Metagama in Stornoway.

- Buy tickets at westernisleslottery.co.uk

- Read the funding criteria at Western Isles Lottery | HVS (harrisvs.org.uk) or email enquiries to admin@harrisvs.org.uk

-The Western Isles Lifestyle Lottery is for over 18s only. Find out more about gambling responsibly at www.begambleaware.org