North East Lincolnshire charities win £2,500 thanks to Council scheme

Winsby is a lottery for the people, by the people. It’s a fun way to help good causes. Tickets are just £1 and you can choose exactly which good cause you would like your money to go to. More of your money goes to your chosen cause than with any other major lottery.

Annually, a larger pot of money is shared out to three randomly selected charities to help them with running costs or ongoing projects. This year, the three organisations were:

• RSPB Grimsby Branch - £1,500
• Headway Grimsby - £500
• Creative Start Arts in Health CIC - £500

Grimsby RSPB

The RSPB Grimsby Local Group, (which is supported by the Winsby Lottery), is part of the RSPB, a conservation charity founded nearly 135 years ago.  The Grimsby Group was founded nearly 40 years ago, and aims to bring together people with an interest in learning about birds and other wildlife, while raising money for the RSPB to support  conservation projects locally, nationally and internationally. 

There are also important social aspects of the group through regular meetings with guest speakers, visits to places of birding interest and a New Year’s Lunch. In addition, the health benefits of interaction with nature are becoming increasingly well recognised.

Winning £1500, Martin Francis, group leader, said they have plenty of ideas of what they want to do with the money. “We have decided to donate £500 towards replacement of the seats at the Blacktoft Sands Reserve because we prefer our donations to be used locally if possible. 

“We will retain the remaining £1000 within the Group. This will enable us to ease the financial pressure that we have experienced, particularly since Covid, and maintain the high quality of speakers we have enjoyed.  It will also enable us to plan a modest celebration of the 40th anniversary of our founding.”

He added: “To receive this amount means we will be able to continue, and possibly develop, the excellent work we have done over the last 40 years. Supporting the RSPB in its vital conservation projects, and providing a focus where people with an interest in nature can learn more, and meet socially.

For more information, please visit https://group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby/

Headway Grimsby

Headway Grimsby is a branch of the national charity Headway, founded in 1980, which is headquartered in Nottingham, with groups nationwide. The charity exists to provide support for survivors of traumatic brain injuries, their families and carers.

Headway Grimsby was set up in October 2008. Chaired by Mark Griffin, himself a survivor of brain injury, the charity was started with the help of Kathryn Hudson, a personal injury solicitor with Bridge McFarland. Kathryn said: “There was no branch of Headway in Grimsby and clients were unable to access the services which are very valuable to them at a time of great need and confusion.

“I contacted Headway and we worked to set up our small branch in Grimsby.

“We meet each month, on the first Tuesday of the month at Freshney Green medical centre on Sorrel Road in Grimsby. The meetings are usually from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and involve all sorts such as guest speakers and a range of activities.”

The group also meet outside of the usual venue and have recently been bowling, played crazy golf and visited Cleethorpes for fish and chips.

Having received the £500, Kathryn and the rest of the group are looking forward to helping their members. “The money will be used to fund activities and support for those who are affected by brain injury and we may be able to fund activities that are further afield.

“The prize was totally unexpected but it is hugely appreciated by Headway Grimsby, we rely on this kind of funding to keep going. It’s not just about the charity though, with this money our members will continue to benefit from the group by the continuation of education, activities and, most importantly, support.”

For more information, visit www.headway.org.uk

Creative Start Arts in Health CIC

Creative Start Arts In Health CIC is lived experience recovery organisation helping to rebuild the lives of people in recovery and their families.

They promote an abstinence-based peer-support recovery approach, provided by a network of lived-experience volunteers and supporters.

To help their members, they run community art projects and restore safe, creative workspaces throughout Grimsby and Cleethorpes designed to inspire creativity and build a community dedicated to reducing the stigma of addiction that many experience in their daily lives.

The £500 they’ve won will be used in the Meditation and Serenity garden which is based at their site on Grimsby Docks. Jon King, Operations Manager, said: “Building this up will allow our members to get involved in gardening groups and provide a space for meditation sessions.

“There is also a lot to be said for just being in and around nature, a green space is great for your mental health.”

He added: “This money is huge for us. As a small organisation, we really value every pound we receive and it makes a direct difference to the people we’re working with and helps them on their wellbeing journey.”

For more information on Creative Start, visit https://www.creativestartcic.org/

For more information on the Winsby Community Lottery and to find out how you can help local charities, visit https://www.winsbylottery.co.uk/