A CHANCE to win £1,000 in John Lewis vouchers is being offered to people playing the Redditch Community Lottery.
Despite offering a top prize of £25,000, the lottery has struggled to tempt Redditch residents, even though 50 per cent of the £1 ticket cost goes to a local good cause chosen by the player.
The £1,000 in John Lewis vouchers is being offered as a special autumn prize if people sign up and purchase a ticket before October 30.
The community lottery was started 19 months ago but has struggled to find 200 players, well short of a projected 682.
Run by an external organisation and promoted by Redditch Borough Council, the mechanics of the lottery are simple.
Tickets cost £1 per week, with 50 per cent (50p) going into the bank account of the good cause chosen by the player.
A further ten per cent goes to a central fund, which is used to further support local good causes in the borough, 20 per cent goes into the prize pot and 20 per cent goes to cover the administration costs for running the lottery.
The council says that with 60 per cent of the ticket price going back into the local community and with odds of winning a prize much better at 50-1, the community lottery offers better value than other lotteries.
However on its introduction the scheme was opposed by Redditch’s opposition Labour group on the grounds of it encouraging gambling.
Councillor Matt Dormer, Leader of Redditch Borough Council, said: “It really is a win-win, even if you don’t win a prize, you are making a real difference to your community just by buying a ticket.
“The National Lottery is great, and they do some fantastic things with funds raised, but by playing the local lottery you can be sure that your money is going to a local group, charity, or organisation that you choose.
“If your group isn’t on there, why not encourage them to sign up for free?”
Since its launch, the community lottery has raised more than £14,153 for local charities and so far, more than 30 local groups have signed up to be a part of it.
For more information visit: www.redditchcommunitylottery.co.uk or call 01527 370501.
