Mulholland launches public consultation on £25m charity lottery funding reform

Pictured at the launch which took place at Amy’s House in Belfast, which is run by Young Lives vs Cancer, one of the charities that would benefit, from left are: Malcolm Fleming, Director of Public Affairs, People’s Postcode Lottery, who support the Bill, Sian Mulholland MLA (centre), and Rachel Kirby-Rider, Chief Executive, Young Lives vs Cancer.

Alliance Party MLA for North Antrim, Sian Mulholland, has launched a public consultation on her proposed Assembly Members’ Bill to reform Northern Ireland’s outdated charity lottery laws.

The initiative aims to unlock millions of pounds in additional fundraising potential for the region’s voluntary and community sector.

Standing alongside charity leaders at Young Lives vs Cancer in Belfast, Ms Mulholland outlined her proposal to modernise legislation dating back to 1985, which currently prevents charity lotteries from operating on the same cross-jurisdictional scale as in Britain.

If passed, the new law would align Northern Ireland with the rest of the UK, enabling major charity lottery operators such as People’s Postcode Lottery to extend their fundraising reach across all four nations. It is estimated the move could generate £25 million in new charity funding in the first five years, rising to £7 million annually thereafter.

Supporting Charities in Crisis

“The charity sector in Northern Ireland is facing a difficult fundraising environment coupled with significant demand for its work and the services they provide,” said Ms Mulholland.

“Opportunities to bring new funding into the sector are few and far between. However, it is clear that through charity lotteries we have a huge opportunity to establish an ongoing sustainable funding stream for charities large and small across Northern Ireland.”

Ms Mulholland’s bill has already drawn support from across the third sector, with endorsements from NICVA, CO3, the Chartered Institute for Fundraising Northern Ireland, as well as major sports organisations including the Irish Football Association, Ulster GAA, and the NI Sports Forum.

The campaign also enjoys strong backing from People’s Postcode Lottery, which currently raises over £19 million every month for charities in Britain.

“There is great untapped potential for charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland,” said Clara Govier, Managing Director of People’s Postcode Lottery.

“For years we have been contacted by people wanting to play our lottery and by charities wanting to unlock that funding potential. Sian Mulholland’s proposed Bill will make a great difference to a great many charities and the people and communities those charities support. We urge MLAs from all parties to give it their support.”

Real Impact on Real Lives

Among the charities set to benefit is Young Lives vs Cancer, which operates Amy’s House in Belfast. This free “Home from Home” accommodation allows families to stay close to their children undergoing cancer treatment at Belfast City Hospital.

“We have some great facilities here at Amy’s House which helps us make a difference to young people from Northern Ireland facing cancer,” said Rachel Kirby-Rider, Chief Executive of Young Lives vs Cancer.

“But we still need to reach many more young people and their families who need support at the most difficult of times, and to fund this vital work, we rely on generous donations.

“Young Lives vs Cancer has benefited hugely thanks to the support of the People’s Postcode Lottery. The funding we have received has made a real difference to what we can achieve however it is not currently available in Northern Ireland and our families are missing out.”

Consultation Open to the Public

The public consultation launched today and is accessible online at:

www.allianceparty.org/lotteries_for_communities_bill

Three in-person public meetings will take place across the region, including in Belfast, as well as one online consultation. Interested individuals or organisations are encouraged to contact Ms Mulholland’s office at 028 2548 3444 for more information.

“In Britain and other European countries, there is a thriving charity lottery sector benefitting a huge number of charitable causes and I would like to see charities here benefit as well,” said Ms Mulholland.

“Young Lives vs Cancer is just one of a great many charities doing vital work to support families and communities here. However, that costs money, and it is clear that more funding is needed. I urge politicians across all of the political parties to get behind this proposal and help us access this great funding boost.”