JUST short of a year when the new Benarty Events Group got together to assist the local Gala group, a new Community Lottery is being launched.

The Gala organisers, who had been active in the Benarty area since the year 2000, have continued to put in a lot of hard work over the years with a limited number of people and they should be applauded for their voluntary time and effort, said Events Group chairman Michael O’Hare, who was delighted to announce the launch of the lottery to help raise funding for the Gala and other community activities in the four villages of Glencraig, Crosshill, Lochore and Ballingry. He said, “We now have, within the new group, a balance of knowledge and youth who for the first time last year proved with a little hard work and dedication that events such as the Gala and the first Pipe Band Contest were a huge success with over 5000 people at the two events.

“In March the Events Group are now starting a Community Lottery. This was a very successful fundraising venture for two local junior football teams in the past and we hope that this new venture will attract plenty of support. “This is an opportunity for local groups/organisations to help raise finance for the local events Group and at the same time help their own group/organisation to raise some finance for themselves.” He added, “There would be a percentage given to any group/organisation who wants to get involved. If anyone wants to get involved please get in touch with the Events Group. At the moment there are several local groups/organisations and businesses who have committed to the Lottery. Tickets are available from various local shops/businesses”.

The first draw of the lottery will go ahead on March 1st and will be held in The Cleikum Inn at 1.30pm. The weekly draws will be made in different venues throughout the Benarty area.

The lottery will start off with a first prize of £1000 and will increase week on week by £100 if not won. There will also be a consolation prize of £50 if no one wins jackpot.

The cost of a ticket is only £1 per week, and every penny raised will be go towards local events. “We hope that the local community get behind this fundraising venture as they have done with events in the past,” added Mr O’Hare, “Again please contact the Events Group for further details if required”.

The group have also been busy throughout the last few months organising other fundraising events and again the local community have contributed tremendously. Mr O’Hare added, “We kicked off with a Christmas raffle and a show on Boxing night in Lochore Institute.

“These two events raised nearly £2500. A big thank you goes to all who contributed. We also have two forthcoming events, one in Lochore Institute on the 16th May, and the fantastic Miami Show band will be performing along with Brian Hodge (Disco) and there are very few tickets left.

“Our next event is a Race Night in the Craigie Bar with the fantastic singer Fraser McDonald. We have eight races that have to be sponsored and we are looking for sponsors of £50 per race. Also if anyone would like to purchase a horse these are £2.50, and £2.50 for a ticket for the night.

“And the dates have been confirmed for this year’s Pipe Band Contest at Lochore Meadows Country Park which is on Saturday 20th June and the Gala is on Sunday 28th June.” Mr O’Hare stated that the group is committed to continuing with the work of raising the finance for community events and everyone hopes that the community get behind them once again, so that everyone can enjoy the benefits in the community.