Essex up against London for Big Lottery Funding

The project for disabled people is called "Cultivating Quality" and is run by the leading disability charity Papworth Trust. It is up against a project based at Charlton Athletic Football Club. The public votes for funding are bound to stir up old rivalries.

The Essex-based project, "Cultivating Quality" involves developing a community garden in the midst of urban Basildon. This will be accessible to people with limited mobility and to gardeners of all ages, with raised beds for people that find bending difficult.

It will include a sensory garden for people with hearing or sight impairments, and a wildlife area with a pond to improve the local ecology. The project will enable people with disabilities in the community to develop a range of work and life skills, while improving and sustaining the natural environment. The team will also work with volunteers, local schools and a group of students from Basildon Adult Community College.

How to register your vote on Thursday 26 November:

• Watch "People's Million's" at 6.20pm on ITV London Tonight
• See our website www.papworth.org.uk on the night for the number to call
• Email your mobile number to rachel@papworth.org.uk for a text reminder on the day*
• Become a fan of Papworth Trust on Facebook to get a reminder on the day

Voting lines open at 9am on the day of the programme (ITV 26 November) and calls cost 10p from a BT land line. Each person can vote up to 10 times

Clients at the centre in Basildon said;

"I will be able to use my wheelchair to access the whole garden and not get stuck in the wet grass" Karen Lees

"We will be able to learn how to grow fruit, look after it and eat it" Gill Penning

"It will give us an interest and save us money by learning how to grow our own fruit and vegetables" Pat Humphreys

"We will be able to develop the garden and feel proud of our efforts" Kerry Woolley

*We will use your mobile number for this purpose only, and will delete it from all records after the 26 November 2009.

-Ends-

About People’s Millions:
People’s Millions is a programme by the Big Lottery Fund that aims to fund projects that provide opportunities for people to enjoy their local area. It has already funded 318 projects across the UK, and in November it intends to fund a further 69 projects of up to £50,000 (incl VAT) across the 15 ITV regional news areas. This will involve head-to-head competitions in each of the ITV regions.
Voting lines open at 9am on the day of the programme (ITV 26 November) and calls cost 10p from a BT land line.

About Papworth Trust:
Papworth Trust is passionate about supporting disabled people. Each year the Trust helps over 17,000 people from the East of England and beyond through a wide range of services covering Employment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Housing, Personal support, and Learning for Life and Work.

The Trust also works with the Government, employers, service providers and commissioners to promote disability equality and good practice.
Charity no. 211234

For further information and media opportunities, please contact:
Kate Coghlan
Interim Marketing Manager
Papworth Trust
T: 01480 357259 (direct)
E: kate.coghlan@papworth.org.uk
www.papworth.org.uk