Comedian Joe Wilkinson has teamed up with The National Lottery to launch the Good News Bulletin, a weekly round-up of feel-good stories from around the UK. 

From communities rallying together to provide BBQs to a whole village to everyday heroes helping those most in need, the Good News Bulletin will feature people and projects across the UK that have been using National Lottery funding in a variety of creative ways to combat the impact of COVID-19.

The first episode is available to watch from 11am on Wednesday 22nd July - see below. 

Stories to be featured include;

Little Village, a charity that provides clothes, toys and equipment for children up to the age of five. The Coronavirus outbreak has seen a huge rise in the demand for help, so they have been busy creating and delivering bundles of essential items to struggling parents and children across London.

Blackford Gala Day’s committee got over 450 households across Blackford BBQ-ing during lockdown, after an army of over 30 volunteers set off to deliver everyone sausages, bread rolls and disposable barbecue kits to enjoy a meal in their gardens.

Cinemagic, who have been keeping bored youngsters in Belfast entertained through a series of online activities, workshops and competitions and giving them a platform discuss issues and ideas.

Sophia Parker, Chief Executive of Little Village comments, “We’re delighted to take part in the Good News Bulletin to showcase the work we do to tackle and raise awareness of child poverty.

Little Village is like a food bank, but for baby clothes, nappies, toys and equipment, we support families who are struggling across London. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have seen a 66% rise in demand for help and the grant we received from The National Lottery has helped enable us to provide families with essential items that kids need to thrive.

Joe Wilkinson comments on the importance of National Lottery funding,“Thanks to National Lottery players, up to £600 million has been made available to help communities throughout the UK amid the Coronavirus crisis. The Good News Bulletin features how people and projects have rallied together to support each other during lockdown. I promise you there won’t be any Zoom quizzes or online Zumba but just a few heart-warming stories and terrific tales of, well, good news and great people.”

Watch Joe Wilkinson in the first episode below