KENT NONPROFIT FOUNDER NOMINATED FOR MAJOR AWARD
The founder of a Kent-based equine facilitated nonprofit is in line for recognition after being nominated in the outstanding individuals’ section of the 2023 National Lottery Awards.
Jennifer Geach, from Athena Herd Foundation, has been shortlisted in the Community and Charity category as a result of her incredible work in the local community.
The organisation aims to provide a natural herd environment for 17 horses, but Jennifer’s horses do much more than simply graze. Athena Herd Foundation makes it its mission to support vulnerable people in the community, including military veterans, people with mental health issues and learning challenges, members of the disabled community, and people who are unemployed.
Since 2014, the Athena Herd Foundation has received a total of £19,900 from the National Lottery Community Fund, working with hundreds of vulnerable people through the provision of high impact Equine Facilitated Interactions.
Jennifer said: “I feel quite blown away to receive a nomination, in recognition of all the hard work done at Athena by everyone in the team.”
The National Lottery Awards are the annual celebration of the ordinary individuals and organisations who do extraordinary things with the help of National Lottery funding.
This year, 3,780 people and projects were nominated for the work they have carried out with support from The National Lottery.
Over the summer, a panel made up of representatives from The National Lottery and partners will decide the winners in each of the individual categories.
Winners will be revealed in the autumn and will receive a £5,000 cash prize for their organisation and a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy.
Jonathan Tuchner, from The National Lottery, said: “The National Lottery Awards honour those who have stepped up and have gone the extra mile to make a difference in their communities, especially during these challenging times.
Thanks to National Lottery players and the £30 million raised each week for good causes, thousands of individuals and projects throughout the UK have been making an incredible difference in their areas, and this is our chance to highlight and celebrate the exceptional work of these selfless local heroes.”
The outstanding individuals’ section of this year’s National Lottery Awards will honour unsung heroes in the following categories:
- Arts, Culture & Film
- Community & Charity
- Heritage
- Sport
- Environment
- Young Hero (Under 25s)
There will also be a Special Achievement Award to celebrate an exceptional individual whose selfless dedication has improved the lives of the people around them.
In addition to the outstanding individuals’ category, an online public vote will be held this year to find The National Lottery UK Project of the Year. Nominees will be whittled down to 17 finalists, with a UK-wide public vote in September deciding the winner.