Welsh charity, Carmarthen Youth Project - Dr.M’z, features in the second episode of The National Lottery’s Good News Bulletin today – a new weekly round-up of feel-good stories hosted by comedian Joe Wilkinson and featuring surprise appearances from special guests.

From communities rallying together to provide BBQs for a whole village to everyday heroes helping those most in need, the National Lottery Good News Bulletin features 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.

In the bulletin which can be viewed below , the Carmarthen Youth Project – Dr.M’z, based in Friars Park, Carmarthen, showcase how, during lockdown, they have used National Lottery funding to kick start a youth group (age 11-25) drop in centre for people who identify as LGBTQ+ and were being bullied. Dr.M’z has also adapted and enhanced all its services for all young people as they respond to COVID-19.

Gayle Harris, the Project Manager at Carmarthen Youth project – Dr.M’z, was surprised on a Zoom call by none other than local celebrity and comedian, Rhod Gilbert.

Without Gayle knowing, Rhod, who grew up in Carmarthen, jumped on the call arranged by the National Lottery to say “congratulations” and to thank Gayle and the team for the hard work and “the wonderful facilities and support the group provides for young people in the local community.”

Gayle said: “It was absolutely amazing to see Rhod pop up on the call – we are delighted that our work for young people is being recognised and we can’t thank National Lottery players enough for the funding we have been given to set up an LGBTQ+ youth group.”

She added: “We’ve had to adapt all of our services during lockdown and make everything digital, including online cooking classes, quizzes, writing competitions – you name it. As lockdown restrictions ease, we are now looking to host cooking lessons in the car park and local parks, holding gardening sessions around town and organising health and wellbeing walks and bike rides around Carmarthen – so thank you to The National Lottery for all your support.”

Comedian Joe Wilkinson added: “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.”

The Bulletin launches as The National Lottery continues its search for nominees for the 2020 National Lottery Awards. This year the annual search for the UK’s most popular National Lottery funded projects will, for the first time, honour individuals who have made an extraordinary impact in their community especially those who have adapted during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

To make a nomination for this year’s National Lottery Awards, tweet @LottoGoodCauses with your suggestions or complete an entry form through our website https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. Entries must be received by midnight on 19th August 2020.

The National Lottery’s Good News Bulletin, presented by Joe Wilkinson, can be viewed over the next five weeks at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/stories/goodnews

£30 million pounds is raised every week on average by National Lottery players for projects big and small across the country. 

To find out more about the range of funding support announced by National Lottery distributors across the UK to date, visit the National Lottery Good Causes website www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/coronavirus-pandemic-response

Watch Joe Wilkinson's Latest News Bulletin below