A Lotto joy for Quinton and Harborne

Nov 27 2009 by William Oliphant, Birmingham Mail

QUINBORNE Community Association is celebrating after winning £50,000 in lottery funding.

The association’s Forward ’09 project in Quinton and Harborne won a public vote which was part of an ITV People’s Millions competition to find a worthy recipient for cash from the Big Lottery Fund.

They money will be used to upgrade Bennett Hall in Ridgacre Road, Quinton, which was built in the 1950s.

It will also allow it to provide new arts and social activities for people in Harborne and Quinton. John Taylor, from the Big Lottery Fund in the West Midlands, said: “This is a great result for the people of Quinton and Harborne, and just goes to show what groups can achieve when they have the support of their community behind them.

“There are some excellent projects still to be showcased, so I urge viewers to continue to tune in to ITV Central, pick up the phone and vote for their favourite project.”

John Cresswell, Chief Operating Officer of ITV, said: “I am delighted that ITV is continuing its partnership with the Big Lottery Fund on People’s Millions.

“Many communities across the UK have already benefited thanks to the support of ITV regional news viewers over the past four years, and we hope they continue to vote for their favourites this week. This year we look forward to helping groups share in a total of up to £3.5 million.”

This year across the UK £3.5 million will be awarded by the public through The People’s Millions. Over the last four years the programme has handed out £18.1 million to 318 good causes across the UK with more than 1.6 million people voting for their favourite project.