UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / December 23, 2019 / Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised more than half a billion pounds for good causes helping charities like Barnardo’s provide vital services.

The children’s charity has received over £3million in funding thanks to players of the lottery since 2018. This has allowed them to support thousands of children and young people throughout England, Wales and Scotland transition out of care, increase their mental health resilience and recover from child sexual abuse.

One of the projects People’s Postcode Lottery has helped fund is RISE (Reducing the Impact of Sexual Exploitation) which aims to combat child sexual exploitation. The project is also supported by Police Scotland and Barnardo’s Scotland.

CSE is often hidden, with perpetrators using violence, coercion and intimidation to exert power over children. Children may not realise they are being exploited or may be too afraid to ask for help.

The aim of RISE is to reach, protect and support children and young people who are at risk of CSE. After a successful pilot programme in Aberdeen and Dundee, RISE has now extended to the cities of Fife and Glasgow.

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said:

“Barnardo’s supports around 300,000 children, young people, parents and carers every year across the UK, including through our specialist sexual abuse and exploitation services.

“But we can’t do this vital work alone. Funding from People’s Postcode Lottery helps us continue supporting vulnerable children, whether they are in the care system, recovering from abuse or experiencing mental health issues.

“Thank you to each and every People’s Postcode Lottery player who helped us give vulnerable children a positive future.” 

Clara Govier, managing director at People’s Postcode Lottery, said:

“This is a vitally important milestone for charities across Britain and beyond.

“By raising more than £500 million for good causes like Barnardo’s, our players are making a real difference. This simply couldn’t have been achieved without them.

“So, my message to those millions of players is simple – a heartfelt thank you. People’s Postcode Lottery was created to raise funds for charities and good causes and we’ll continue to work tirelessly to do exactly that.”

With a minimum of 32% of every ticket going to charities and good causes, players have supported more than 7,500 good causes, big and small, making a difference at both a global and local level.

To learn more about the impact that player funding has had on good causes across Britain and internationally visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk.