Young parents scheme scoops national award

SINGER and TV presenter Kimberly Wyatt on a recent visit to the centre to present the National Lottery Award to the Key to the Door TOYS project

MILLIONS of TV viewers saw an innovative Oldham charity named as the nation's best education project at the coveted National Lottery Awards last night.

Staff from Key to the Door TOYS (Training Opportunities for Young People Scheme) project were joined on the red carpet by celebrities at the award ceremony, which was screened on BBC One last night.

Key to the Door runs free courses for young families twice a week in relaxed settings in Rochdale, Tameside and Oldham.

The programme covers a wide range of issues faced by families on a daily basis, and provides a safe space to socialise, share experiences and have fun while learning practical activities to educate their children.

The three-year National Lottery grant funded three project officers and an admin worker, as well as staffing the crèche areas.

Bev Taylor, project manager for the Key to the Door TOYS project, said: "It is a wonderful achievement to receive a National Lottery Award and be recognised by the public in this way. Thank you to our fantastic team for being committed, driven and always going that extra mile.

"Thank you to everyone who plays The National Lottery and of course a massive thanks to everyone who voted, supported and volunteered.

"We hope that this recognition will help us to deliver and develop the TOYS projects to make positive changes to the lives of even more young families."

The charity, based in Fitton Hill, beat off six other challengers in a public vote to win the Best Education Project.

Alongside the award Key to the Door TOYS also received a £3,000 prize to spend on the project and a visit from former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, who presented the team with their award.

John Barrowman, who presented the show for the seventh year, added: "The National Lottery Awards celebrate the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects as voted for by the public. They recognise the legends behind these amazing organisations - ordinary people who do extraordinary things with National Lottery funding.

"We have had a golden summer in 2016 with the success of Team GB. It is fitting that we carry on the celebrations by honouring other people and projects who are making a life-changing impact with National Lottery funding throughout the UK.

"This year's winners have raised the bar, yet again, and National Lottery players can be very proud to have contributed towards their fine work."

The National Lottery Awards recognise and celebrate the difference that Lottery-funded organisations, both large and small, make to local communities the length and breadth of the UK.

There are seven categories in the National Lottery Awards, reflecting the main areas of Lottery funding: Arts, education, environment, health, heritage, sport, and voluntary/charity.