Mansfield MP Ben Bradley is thanking National Lottery players for their role in raising funding for local charities and community groups.

It was revealed that local groups gave received £966,060 from the Lottery to support them as they seek to overcome social and economic challenges caused by the pandemic.

Now the MP has urged  more local good causes to apply for National Lottery funding, saying it could be a lifeline as they begin to recover.

Groups in Mansfield to have benefited so far include Hetty’s, which will use its £431,730 funding over five years to continue and expand its support for families affected by drug or alcohol misuse.

The charity will also invest in upskilling and empowering clients through its volunteering programme. Another development of the service will be to support people to establish their own peer support groups and activities as part of long-term wellbeing maintenance pathways, creating a legacy for the project.

The funding is being distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players.

Information about how to apply for funding can be found at The National Lottery Community Fund’s website: www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.

Ben said: “The work of these groups is absolutely vital, so I am pleased they will be able to continue supporting our community.

“I’d also like to mention Hettys in particular. I’ve met the wonderful volunteers at Hetty’s several times and the work they do in Mansfield is truly inspirational.

“I’m delighted to hear that this funding will ensure they are able to continue supporting families who have been affected by drug or alcohol misuse.”