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Voting for the final of The National Lottery Awards has now closed, and the winners of each category will be announced on a special BBC1 programme, broadcast live on Saturday 30 August. The show will feature high-profile celebrities who will be on hand to present the Awards to the winning projects. 

Now in their fifth successful year, the Awards recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects - both large and small - make to local communities, and celebrate the achievements of the people behind them.
 
The 21 projects are competing across seven categories, with three projects in each category. One winning project from each category will receive a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project.
 
The 2008 National Lottery Awards are supported by TV and radio presenter, Gethin Jones.  Gethin says: “I’m delighted to see these fantastic projects make it through to the final stage. These, like all of the projects that have competed this year, are worthy winners that transform the lives of people and places across the UK. 

He continues: “Each week Lottery players raise an amazing £25 million for Good Causes and this money ensures that projects like these, across the UK, can carry out their vital work.”

For more information on the Awards, click here.

- Ends –

For further information please contact:
Corin Brett on 020 7211 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
· 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 on 30 August
· 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

VOTING:
· All calls from a BT landline are charged at a BT lo-call landline rate.  Calls from mobile phones and other landline providers may vary
· 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.