# Groundwork UK wins viewers' vote for £1.5 million Lottery grant - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/04/09/groundwork-uk-wins-viewers039-vote-15-million-lottery-grant/ - Published: 2006-04-09T23:00:00+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake ![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/news/4158.jpg) GMTV viewers have voted for Groundwork UK to receive £1.5 million from the Big Lottery Fund to help creater safer environments in 25 neighbourhoods throughout the UK. Groundwork was one of three finalists, with the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation( CISWO), and National Youth Theatre. The Safe and Sound programme will divide the £1.5 million lottery funding among 25 projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland aimed at helping young people and adults work together to turn local eyesores into safe and attractive spaces to be proud of. Graham Duxbury, Head of Policy and Communications, Groundwork UK said: “This is a very special year for Groundwork as we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary. Thanks to the votes of GMTV viewers we can now give much needed support to 25 more communities across the UK. ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) “The results of the vote show that people really care about the quality of their local environment and want to live in places that are clean, safe and green. This funding will help thousands of people take a lead in making their neighbourhoods better places to live.” The Big Lottery Fund and GMTV national televised People’s Millions contest was devised“ to give the public a real say” on where lottery funding will go to benefit their community. According to Sir Clive Booth, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund, almost 20,000 votes were cast across the UK. Given the size of some charities’ supporter-bases, it should not prove difficult to top this total with ease in the future. As part of the People’s Millions this year, ITV viewers will also be given the chance to award 90 grants of £50,000 in November. The dntry deadline for applications for funding to be awarded in this round of the scheme is 18 May 2006. Each ITV region will announce a shortlist of projects in October. Next year, on top of the regional contests for £50,000, the Big Lottery Fund and ITV will be asking viewers UK-wide to vote on a an even larger grant of between £25 and £50 million to a single project. * **[Electoral Commission launches grant scheme to encourage involvement in democracy](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/04/09/electoral-commission-launches-grant-scheme-encourage-involvement-democracy/)**( 9 April 2006) * **[ACEVO Funding Roadshow to feature Cross Government Action Plan](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/04/10/acevo-funding-roadshow-feature-cross-government-action-plan/)**( 10 April 2006) * **[NHS budget deficits cause Department of Health funding delays for charities](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/04/11/nhs-budget-deficits-cause-department-health-funding-delays-charities/)**( 11 April 2006)