Cornwall Wildlife Trust has received £46,300 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help ensure its continued work to protect Cornwall’s wildlife and wild spaces.

Since the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown began Cornwall Wildlife Trust has seen the cancellation of fundraising events due to social distancing measures and a fall in new members due to recruitment methods not being possible. This has put the organisation’s funding at strain, which could impact their capacity to continue their conservation work at a time when nature and wildlife have rarely been more appreciated.  

James Webb, Cornwall Wildlife Trust Fundraising Manager, said: “Thanks to the National Lottery and its players we can now ensure any decisions about the future of our work are made in the best interest of wildlife, rather than due to immediate cost savings required. We’re grateful that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – it’s a lifeline to us and others who are passionate about sustaining natural heritage for the benefit of all.”

The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. £50 million has been made available to provide emergency funding for those most in need across the heritage sector.

The UK-wide fund will address both immediate emergency actions and help organisations to start thinking about recovery.

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live, supporting economic regeneration and benefiting our personal wellbeing. All of these things are going to be even more important as we emerge from this current crisis.

“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to be able to lend our support to organisations such as Cornwall Wildlife Trust during this uncertain time.”

Like Cornwall Wildlife Trust, other charities and organisations across the UK that have been affected by the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus outbreak are being given access to a comprehensive package of support of up to £600 million of repurposed money from The National Lottery. This money is supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and span the arts, community, charity, heritage, education, environment and sports sectors.

Thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million is raised every week for good causes, including heritage of local and national importance. By playing The National Lottery, people up and down the country are making an amazing contribution to the nationwide-response to combatting the impact of coronavirus on local communities across the UK.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is currently open to applications for its Heritage Emergency Fund.

Find out more about the National Lottery Good Causes.