The Jennifer Trust and Kirsty Gallacher by JAB Promotions
A host of celebrities including Peter Andre, Kirsty Gallacher and Lisa Snowdon, hit the red carpet at this year's star-studded National Lottery Awards - a glamorous, gala ceremony shown live on BBC1.
Hosted by Nick Knowles and Myleene Klass, the Awards celebrate the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects.
Lottery players raise £25 million each week for Good Causes and The National Lottery Awards, now in their sixth consecutive year, recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects make to local communities, and celebrate the achievements of the people behind them.
Over the last few weeks FemaleFirst introduced some of the charities to you and the work they do as we worked with the Lottery Awards and the Best Health Project category.
The Jennifer Trust, See Ability and The Feel Good Factory were all nominated and we encouraged you to visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards and vote.
And thanks to your suppor the team behind The Jennifer Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon, are celebrating after being voted the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded health project, beating hundreds of projects from across the UK.
The Jennifer Trust, which runs a support service for parents of children diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, won the prestigious title of Best Health Project in association with FemaleFirst.co.uk, and a £2,000 cash prize to spend on the project, at this year’s star-studded National Lottery Awards, broadcast live on BBC 1 on Saturday 5 September.
Staff and beneficiaries from The Jennifer Trust mingled with celebrity guests at the star-studded awards show, broadcast live on BBC 1 on Saturday 5 September.
Famous names attending included hosts Myleene Klass and Nick Knowles, actress Fay Ripley, model and presenter Lisa Snowdon, fellow Strictly Come Dancing contestant and broadcaster John Sergeant, ‘King of the Jungle’ Christopher Biggins, singer David Gray, the Noisettes and 15-year old diving sensation Tom Daley.
The Jennifer Trust received an incredible show of public support throughout all stages of the competition.
Accepting the award, Liz Willetts, Director of Support Services at The Jennifer Trust, says: "It is an absolute honour to have won this Award. Lottery funding helped us fund two outreach workers to support families of children newly diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and the Awards are a fantastic way to celebrate the difference they have made to so many people across the country. Being part of this year’s Awards has enabled our project to be recognised on a national platform."
She continues: "We have received tremendous support throughout all stages of the competition and on behalf of everyone involved in The Jennifer Trust, I would like to thank each and every one of the thousands of people who voted for us."
TV presenter, Kirsty Gallacher, who presented The Jennifer Trust with their National Lottery Award, says: "It has been an honour to meet all the fantastic staff and volunteers who run this brilliant project and to have the chance to find out more about it.
"It really is a wonderful example of how Lottery funding has made a difference to the local community and beyond. I am so thrilled for them that they have received this much-deserved recognition tonight and I was delighted to have presented them with the Best Health Project award.
"I wish them all the best for the future in their good work, which is having such a positive impact on so many people."