People’s Postcode Lottery in Great Britain is celebrating a major milestone: £1 billion raised for charity and good causes.

Picture: managing directors and team members in the office in Edinburgh, celebrating the milestone

Since the People's Postcode Lottery launched in Great Britain 17 years ago, thousands of charities and local good causes in England, Scotland and Wales and beyond have benefitted from funding raised thanks to players. Today, millions of players are raising more than £15 million every month in vital funding.

'Remarkable achievement'
Sigrid van Aken, Novamedia/Postcode Lottery Group CEO said: “At the Postcode Lottery Group we love breaking records and reaching one billion pounds raised for charity is a remarkable achievement. This money is helping to transform lives and communities near and far.”

Charities and good causes of all shapes and sizes have been supported by players. Cancer charity Maggie’s is one of them and has received nearly £20 million thanks to players.

'Just amazing'
Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie’s said: “You have raised over £1 billion, that is just amazing. You said that you were committed to supporting charities with unrestricted revenues, supporting charities to share and network and learn from each other. You’ve done that in abundance and kept to all those promises you made years ago.”

Dame Emma Thompson, actor and international ambassador, said: “I can’t believe what you’ve achieved…a billion is just so eye watering.”

Postcode Lottery charities team member, Lambros Karasellos added: “What makes People’s Postcode Lottery so special? The difference we make to people’s lives, not only as winners, but to people’s lives through the charities that are supported.”