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Six groups from across Wales have been chosen to take part in a TV competition that could win them up to £50,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to transform the lives of local people. 

The People’s Millions 2014, which takes place on ITV Wales at the end of November, will see community groups go head-to-head in a bid to win National Lottery Funding for life-changing projects.

Two groups each night will make their cases for viewers’ support to take home up to £50,000, with the public voting by phone to help decide who wins the prize.

There are four £50,000 awards up for grabs in the region – one award for each night from 24 November to 26 November, as well as a bonus award for the runner up with the most phone votes across the week.

This is the ninth year that the Big Lottery Fund and ITV have teamed up to give the public the chance to choose where the Lottery good cause cash goes in their area. Since it began in 2005, the competition has funded over 599 diverse community projects across the UK with an incredible £31.3 million in Big Lottery Fund good cause money.

On Monday 24 November, the first two projects to go head-to-head will be Adamsdown Day Centre Partnership in Cardiff and Ceredigion County Council. If Adamsdown Day Centre Partnership polls the most votes they will use their winnings for its For the Young at Heartproject which aims to improve the health and well-being of older people by providing a broader range of activities, but if Ceredigion County Council’s Gweledigaeth Y Gwndwnproject secures a victory it will lead and support a community theatre and participatory arts, giving participants, local people and artists access to arts and culture in a rural area.

On Tuesday 25 November, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth Elli Cyfyngedig in Llanelli will battle it out with Groundwork North Wales. If Menter Cwm Gwendraeth Elli Cyfyngedig pulls in the most phone votes for its ABC, 123, Ti a Fi project they will support the development of children from birth to aged three in conjunction with their parents, however if Groundwork North Wales’s Flintshire Fellas come out on top they will work with young men in theTanyfron area who have been affected by issues such as unemployment, addiction or substance misuse, mental and physical health issues. Activities will include horticulture and DIY.

On Wednesday 26 November, the final night of voting, The Bala and Penllyn Sports and Recreation Association will take on Heronsbridge School in Bridgend. If The Bala and Penllyn Sports and Recreation Association’s Bala Castle Street Playground project tops the polls they will improve the lifestyle and health and young people in the town and neighbouring area by creating an open space and playground but if Heronsbridge School’sHeronsbridge Re-Cycles get the most support they will help pupils gain skills through a community bicycle recycle workshop. Old, damaged or unwanted bikes will be fixed and resold to the public. People will also be able to bring in their bikes for service or repair.

Voting numbers will be available on the day the projects are due to appear on ITV with telephone voting lines opening at 9am on each day and winners announced the following day.

Dawn Austwick Big Lottery Fund Chief Executive, said: “The People’s Millions competition is a brilliant opportunity for people to have a say in how Lottery money is spent in their communities. Voters will have some difficult choices to make in deciding which of the excellent projects going head to head will get their support. But most importantly, the end result will benefit people and communities most in need.”

Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of ITV plc, said: “The People's Millions is an exciting way for people around the UK, through the ITV regions, to win up to £50,000 of Lottery money to improve their communities. We congratulate all the projects on making the final shortlist and wish them all the very best of luck.”

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 01686 611 720 Out of Hours contact: 07980 914 898
Full details of Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available at:www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Notes to editors

ITV broadcast regions in The People’s Millions: ITV Anglia East; ITV Anglia West; ITV Central East; ITV Central West; ITV Granada; ITV London; ITV Meridian East; ITV Meridian West; ITV Tyne Tees; ITV Westcountry East; ITV Westcountry West, ITV Yorkshire North; ITV Yorkshire South; STV West; STV East; STV North; STV Borders ; UTV; and ITV Wales.

• The People’s Millions is a partnership between Big Lottery Fund and ITV which gives the public the chance to have a say in how Lottery funding is spent in their community through a telephone vote. 
• The competition funds projects that improve the lives of people and communities across the UK.  
• This year 76 awards of up to £50,000 are up for grabs across the UK – four awards in each ITV region (including a bonus award for the runner-up with the highest number of votes).
• To date 599 good causes across the UK have been awarded grants through the contest, sharing in £31.3 million of Lottery funding. Over 3.3million votes have been cast by the public.
• For more information on shortlisted groups, visit The People’s Millions websitewww.peoplesmillions.org.uk 
• As in previous years, ITV and the Big Lottery Fund will use a low cost premium rate telephone number. ITV and Big do not make a profit from the voting telephone numbers. 
• The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery.
• The Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since its inception in 2004 it has awarded close to £6bn.
• In the year ending 31 March 2013, 28% of total National Lottery revenue was awarded to projects. Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £32 billion has been raised and more than 400,000 grants awarded.