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What’s Got Mary So Excited?!

15th May 2014

Unsuspecting shoppers in a Glasgow newsagent got more than they bargained for as they bought their National Lottery ticket on Saturday morning.

The shop’s security cameras captured a flash-mob of National Lottery-funded projects spreading a cheery message of thanks for the funding they’ve received as a result of National Lottery sales over the last twenty years.

A full samba band popped up in the shop to the surprise of shoppers, including local resident, Mary Anne McMillan, 82. She said: “What a shock! You don’t expect a Samba band to start playing when you’re buying your National Lottery ticket. I’ve been playing the Lottery for years but I didn’t know my money went to such brilliant causes.”

Vicki Kennedy, spokesperson for The National Lottery, said: “The National Lottery made its first draw twenty years ago this year. Every week The National Lottery now raises over £33 million for projects around the UK. This was a chance for just a few of them to thank National Lottery players for making what they do possible.”

Browns Newsagent, in the Cardonald area of Glasgow, was specially chosen as the venue for the Lotto Cheer after raising £2.7million for good causes – more than any other independent retailer in Scotland.

Owner, Michael Brown, said: “The Lotto Cheer morning was the most fun our shop has ever known. Our customers have never seen anything like it before – they’re still talking about it. It was a great way to say ‘thank you’ to National Lottery players for supporting local good causes – I’m sure it’s something they’ll think about every time they buy a ticket in the future.”

National Lottery funded projects that took taking part in the Lotto Cheer included volunteers from Samba Ya Bamba, the West End Festival, Haldanes Youth Services, Mischief La Bas, Scottish Youth Theatre and the Commonwealth Youth Circus.

Notes to editors

Ali Liddy or Fiona Dow at Wire Media on 0141 440 6167 / 07968023141 or ali@wire-media.co.uk or fiona@wire-media.co.uk

For press enquiries relating to The National Lottery:
Sarah Myers, National Lottery Promotions Unit
0141 2421414/07828 617962 or sarah.myers@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

Notes to the editor
Every week, National Lottery players raise over £33 million for good causes. Since 1994, over £2.5 billion has been invested in Scotland in more than 51,500 arts, sports, heritage, health, education, environment, charity and voluntary projects.