The Somerset West Lottery is celebrating its second birthday this month.

The local Lottery run by Somerset West and Taunton Council was launched on May 16, 2017; it opened to players on June 9, 2017; and had the first draw on July 29, 2017.

The lottery offers registered good causes the chance to raise income for their organisation by selling lottery tickets to members of the public.

The total revenue for good causes since the launch is £72,315 with a predicted annual income for this year alone of more than £38,000.

Each ticket purchased is entered into a weekly draw with prizes ranging from free tickets to £25,000. An average weekly draw of 1,200 tickets results in an average of 25 prizes.

The Somerset West Lottery gives 60p from every £1 ticket sold to registered good causes with players choosing which cause they want to support.

Ten per cent of funds raised by ticket sales goes into a community fund opened annually to any eligible local good cause wishing to apply for additional funding.  

One beneficiary of the Somerset West Lottery is Homestart – a voluntary organisation offering practical support to families at home with children under the age of seven.

The Homestart Bump to Baby project supporting and training expectant and new mums is one of several initiatives to have benefited from local lottery funds.

Clare Pound of Homestart said: “The Lottery is particularly appealing to players because all beneficiaries are within the local community.”

Anyone who knows of a good cause which wants to raise funds or who would like to buy a ticket should contact the Somerset West Lottery on 0300 30 20 666; email support@

somersetwestlottery.co.uk or visit www.somersetwestlottery.co.uk