Philippines Appeal - update

Adrian -

This week we called for The National Lottery to donate the un won £12 million prize to the Philippines disaster appeal. On Friday that money was won in the EuroMillions draw.

In our thousands we put the pressure on -- the petition grew to over 145,000. And just hours before the draw Camelot got in touch with me. Their response earlier this week was to say that the lottery money belonged to ticket holders and the issue was out of their hands. Their response changed. They are now directing me to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport who ultimately decide how the money for lotto’s good causes is spent. 

This is progress and I will be following up with Camelot. This money, which for one week belonged to nobody, could have helped people that really needed it. The Lottery should have the ability to allocate funds for overseas relief, whether it is unclaimed lottery money, or a regular amount allocated in the same way we donate to UK causes. 

We know soon the story of the Philippines will slip from the headlines, but the suffering will continue long into the future as these people begin to rebuild their tattered lives. If you would like to give financially to the relief effort you can do so via the Disasters Emergency Committee, which is made up of charities working on the ground distributing aid right now. Every donation counts, however small, and will go towards the gap that the lottery didn't fill.

Once again, thank you so much for your support.

Rachel Riddall