The Epping Forest Community Lottery has marked its 2nd anniversary, celebrating another successful year of supporting local good causes across the district.

Celebrating 2 years of the lottery

Representatives from local organisations came together on 12 October to celebrate 2 years of the lottery, which was launched on 3 August 2024 to help community groups, charities and voluntary organisations raise vital funds.

Since launching, the lottery has raised more than £34,000 for the Epping Forest community, with 76 local good causes signing up to benefit from the scheme. Players have also shared in more than £32,000 in cash prizes, including:

1 £25,000 jackpot winner
1 £2,000 winner
9 £250 winners
143 £25 winners

The lottery continues to provide an easy way for residents to support causes they care about, with at least 50% of every ticket sale going directly to local good causes.

Bonus awards recognise fundraising success
Thanks to the continued growth of the lottery, 8 organisations that consistently sold more than 20 tickets per week received £200 bonus awards.

The recipients were:

With Love Chicken Soup Run
Coopersale and Theydon Garnon C.E. Primary School
Epping Forest Heritage Trust
Ongar Senior Wellbeing Hub
Chigwell Riding Trust
The League of Friends of St Margaret’s Hospital and Community
Epping Forest District Swimming Club
Bedford House Community Association 

The additional funding is helping organisations purchase equipment, support community activities, improve wellbeing services and expand opportunities for local residents.

All proceeds received through the lottery’s central fund are reinvested into the local community.

Since the first draw in August 2024, the central fund has grown significantly, enabling £8,450 in grants and bonus awards to be distributed to local organisations on top of the regular funding received by participating good causes each month.

This year, grants of up to £400 were awarded to eight organisations:

41st Epping Forest Scout Group
Limes Farm and Grange Hill Community Group
Bedford House Community Association
Haven House Foundation
Community Playhub CIC
Epping Forest Gymnastics Club
Jenna Wilkins Foundation
Matching Green Cricket Club

The funding is supporting a wide range of projects, from youth activities and community groups tackling isolation to family support services, digital inclusion programmes and opportunities for local athletes.

Councillor Kaz Rizvi, Portfolio Holder for Community Health and Wellbeing said:

"As we celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Epping Forest Community Lottery, it’s important to recognise the incredible local organisations that are often the unsung heroes of our communities.

Their dedication and hard work make a real difference to residents across the district, and we’re proud that the lottery has now raised more than £34,000 to support them.

Thank you to everyone who plays the lottery, and we look forward to seeing it grow even further over the coming year so that even more good causes can benefit."

Portfolio Holder for Community Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Kaz Rizvi

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