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70 projects have now reached the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards 2008, and will 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.  

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 these 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.  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 ends at midday on Friday 4 July. To register your vote for your favourite project, click here.

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.

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For further information please contact:
Corin Brett on 0207 211 1684 / corin.brett@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

Notes to Editors
· There are seven categories in the Awards, each reflecting an area of Lottery funding: Sport; Heritage; Arts; Environment; Education; the iVillage.co.uk Award for Best Health Project and Woman magazine Award for Best Charity/Voluntary Project
· The Award for Best Charity/Voluntary Project is this year sponsored by Woman magazine. Woman is the number one variety-packed women's weekly. It delivers a modern mix of hot celebrity news, juicy TV insider gossip, compelling real life stories, body confident fashion and beauty, and an up-to-the-minute lifestyle section. Woman is a weekly must-have treat in the busy lives of Britain's women.  Woman is published by IPC Media
· The Award for Best Health Project is this year sponsored by iVillage.co.uk. iVillage.co.uk is the UK's largest website for women. Bringing women an interactive experience that engages their passions, improves their lives, and celebrates their individuality
· Semi - Finals
There are a total of 70 projects in the semi-finals – 10 in each of the seven categories. The  public can vote from 9am on 16 June and any valid votes cast before the deadline of midday on 4 July will be counted
After voting has closed, the three projects with the most votes in each of the seven categories will go through to the final round
· Finals
There are a total of 21 projects in the final – three in each of the seven categories. The   public can vote from 9am on 21 July and any valid votes cast before the deadline of midday on 8 August will be counted. There will be only one winner in each category. The seven winners will be announced during a special BBC 1 television programme transmitted later in the year
· All calls from a landline are charged at a BT lo-call landline rate.  Calls from mobile phones may vary depending on network charges
· Voting will be independently verified by Electoral Reform Services
· Since The National Lottery began in 1994, Lottery players have raised over £21 billion for Good Causes and over 290,000 grants have been made across the arts, sport, heritage, environment, health, education and charity