Fleetwood winner of £250 in Wyre lottery is supporter of dance troupe

Sharni Bovill, co-principal of the Highbury Morris Dancers, said the winner was a senior dancer with the troupe.

From every £1 ticket players buy, 60p will go to local good causes in Wyre and they can select which of the registered good causes their money goes towards.

In this case, the dancer wanted the money she spends every week to go to the Highbury troupe, a new Morris dancing troupe founded in the town in March 2020, just before lockdown.

Tickets cost £1 and players could win up to £25,000 as part of the weekly draw, which takes place every Saturday.

Sharni, who founded the troupe with Aimee Brookes, said: “We are delighted that one of our supporters has won £250.

" We have been happy to join as one of the Wyre’s Lottery good causes as it can not only help you raise funds for your club but also promotes it within your community, and gives your supporters the chance to win some great prizes.

"Joining and promoting the lottery to your supports allows clubs like ours to receive funds for your cause.

"It has helped to raise funds for essential equipment needed to run the troupe effectively. It has also put our name out into the community."

The 80-strong troupe, based at St Nicholas Church hall in Fleetwood, allows girls and boys to join from the age of three years.

Their dancers work hard learning and performing routines at weekly competitions around the North West of England and Wales.

The lockdown has meant the dance troupe has been unable to meet but they are hopeful of getting back together again when restrictions end.

It is a non-profit club so rely on fundraising to purchase uniform such as dresses, bells, pumps and shakers.

Sharni added: "The lockdown has taken its toll on fundraising so joining the Wyre lottery helped give us get the head start that they needed.

"We have now been able to buy dresses for their first season and we are now looking forward to raising further funds to pay for transport, fees and extra uniform so we can compete at competitions when they start back up after the pandemic."

Coun Lynne Bowen, portfolio holder for leisure, health and community engagement, said: “The community lottery was set up by Wyre Council in a bid to raise money for charities and good causes in Wyre.

"We have raised almost £30,000 for good causes and this money is already making a difference. If you manage a local good cause I’d encourage you to sign up and start raising much needed funds. It’s free and really easy to do.”

Winners are informed via email and any prize money will be transferred automatically to their chosen bank account.

To buy your tickets or register as a good cause visit www.wyrelottery.co.uk