Great news from the Big Lottery Fund!

Ataxia UK has been awarded a grant of £187,087 by the Big Lottery Fund for a new branch and group support and development project which will commence in January 2006.

Alastair Macdougall, Chief Executive said, “We are delighted with the news and grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for their support. This is the largest grant that Ataxia UK has been awarded from any source so it’s an important milestone in our development. A proportion of the grant will fund the new post of branch and group development officer who will not only help Ataxia UK to give much better support to existing branches and groups but will enable people across the UK to start new branches or support groups in the knowledge that there will be a member of staff available to give advice and guidance.

This was the last round of the Big Lottery Fund’s Strategic Grants Programme and there was enormous competition for the funds available. The fact that Ataxia UK was one of the successful applicants not only gives credibility to our project but to Ataxia UK as an organisation.”

In addition to supporting branches, the project will enable Ataxia UK to raise its profile with greater effect, increase awareness of the ataxias, improve local fundraising capability, facilitate local campaigns, encourage more people to join the organisation, increase the number of people willing to participate in clinical trials and, perhaps most important of all, provide increased sources of local support and friendship for families affected by ataxia.

Watch the branch pages for further developments.

For the latest news from Ataxia UK and to join our media mailing list, contact Ataxia UK Press Officer Barnaby Levy on 020 7582 1444 pressoffice@ataxia.org.uk.

Helpline: 0845 644 0606

Great news from the Big Lottery Fund!