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As we approach the end of the year millions of people throughout the UK will be making the same old unrealistic New Year's resolutions - many of which will be broken before the end of January. Why not try something different this year? Millions of pounds of Lottery money is available for people to achieve a personal ambition and make a difference in their communities. New Year's resolutions need not just be about replacing old habits with new ones or losing those few extra pounds, they can provide an opportunity to change your life and the lives of others. 80% of people throughout the UK have expressed a desire to take part in activities to improve the quality of life for others, create a safer community or clean up their local environment - Millennium Awards provide an ideal way to do this. 20,000 people throughout the UK have already risen to the challenge and applied for a Millennium Award which enables people of all backgrounds and abilities to use Lottery money to put a bright idea into action. Currently they are working on a range of innovative projects from parenting classes for dads, encouraging healthy eating by setting a food co-operative to provide fresh produce for local communities to setting up a support network for children whose lives have been affected by cancer. Millennium Awards really do make a difference as these comments from Millennium Award winners illustrate. "To be able to watch something develop from nothing is amazing." "My Millennium Award project inspired my faith in others. People do care." "Millennium Awards enable people to experience what they feel passionate about." "The project fulfilled my dream." "The community responded very positively to the project. I now have a sense of belonging." "I didn?t think that I could do much, but I have gone to university as a result of my Award." "I feel privileged to have done my Millennium Award." Mike O?Connor CBE, Director of the Millennium Commission, said "The Millennium Award scheme is providing the opportunity and motivation for people to realise their ambitions and to make a real difference in their local areas. At the start of 2002 there is no better time to fulfil your goals and help others in the process. So for this year?s New Year?s resolution, I would encourage everyone to take advantage of one of the thousands of grants available to individuals through the Millennium Award scheme. Don?t miss out." To apply for a Millennium Award please call 0800 068012000 -ends- Notes to Editors - The Millennium Commission is one of the good causes funded by the National Lottery.
2 The Millennium Commission also works with over 100 Awards Partner organisations to distribute Millennium Awards to individuals for community based projects. Almost 20,000 people have already received a Millennium Award and there are still thousands of Awards available. Further information is available on 0800 06801 2000. - The Millennium Commission has also supported:
- Around 200 new buildings, environmental projects and visitor attractions on over 3000 sites across the UK.
- A UK-wide programme of community festivals which began on New Year?s Eve 1999 and culminated on New Year?s Eve 2000 with celebrations in 32 towns and cities across the UK.
- The Millennium Experience at Greenwich and the National Programme.
For further information Contact the Millennium Commission Press Office on 020 7880 2007 out of hours 07771 565606 or visit The Millennium Commission web sites at www.millennium.gov.uk and www.starpeople.org.uk
Millennium Commission 31st-December-2001
Categories: News Archive
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