National Postcode Lottery welcomes Sea Shepherd as 56th beneficiary

The National Postcode Lottery is to give half a million euros to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society – an organisation that seeks to enforce international laws that serve to protect marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd is one of 56 ‘good cause’ organisations that will receive a share of more than 225 million euros spent on lottery tickets in 2007. This represents an increase of more than 8 million euros in relation to 2006. The lottery made this announcement earlier today during its annual meeting with its beneficiaries.

More than 225 million euros for good causes
The 2.4 million people who play the lottery raised a sum of more than 450 million euros in 2007. Fifty percent of the money spent on lottery tickets is earmarked for good causes that support people and the planet. The Postcode Lottery will distribute a total of 225,233,533 euros to 56 ‘good cause’ organisations. This the 18th consecutive year in which lottery players have raised more money than the year before. The increase in the proceeds has enabled the lottery to welcome three new beneficiaries: the Business in Development Network, which stimulates business in developing countries; Hivos, a development cooperation organisation that works to improve living conditions, alleviate poverty and influence policy; and Sea Shepherd, which works to protect all sea mammals and to put a stop to illegal whaling. The organisation claims to go on pursuing these objectives where others feel there is nothing more that can be done. The new beneficiaries will all receive half a million euros from the lottery.

HIER
The National Postcode Lottery donates large sums of money to organisations involved in the battle against climate change. HIER, a coalition of more than 40 good causes which, at the initiative of the Postcode Lottery, have been working to raise awareness of climate change since 2006, will receive a sum of 9.1 million euros. The coalition will carry out a total of 33 projects in the Netherlands and abroad in years to come. These projects will seek to reduce CO2 emissions and create climate stability. Among other things HIER is currently running the Tikkie Terug project, which is encouraging the Dutch to save energy at home.

Extra projects
The Extra – 13th – Draw raised more than 17 million euros in 2007. This sum will be used to help finance nine extra projects organised by existing beneficiaries. In addition to the 9.1 million euros donated to the HIER campaign, the 17 million euros will be used to fund:
*The construction of the Rainbow Warrior III by Greenpeace.