Wealden Community Lottery

The Wealden Community Lottery is an online fundraising initiative launched by us to support local charities, community groups, and not-for-profit organisations.

It provides a simple, year-round way to raise unrestricted funding for both projects and core running costs, helping strengthen communities and sustain vital local services.

By taking part, supporters can enjoy the chance to win while directly contributing to the work of organisations making a positive difference across Wealden.

Background

Many local organisations across Wealden face increasing pressure to secure reliable funding to sustain their services, particularly for core and ongoing costs that are often difficult to fund through traditional grants. In response, we launched the Community Lottery in March 2023.

The initiative enables local good causes to diversify their income while engaging residents in directly supporting their communities. The lottery provides an accessible and appealing way for people to contribute to local groups.

Objectives and outcomes

The primary aim of the scheme is to provide a sustainable and flexible funding stream for local organisations, supporting both projects and essential core costs.

It benefits charities, sports clubs, voluntary groups, and community organisations by enabling unrestricted income generation, while giving residents a simple way to support local causes.

With over 120 good causes supported and more than £185,000 raised, the initiative demonstrates strong local impact and participation.

Crowborough Runners

Crowborough Runners is a community-based running club that promotes fitness, wellbeing, and social connection for people aged between 8–80.

Through the Wealden Community Lottery, the club has raised funds to support its activities and development, including qualifications for four new volunteers to become coaches and run leaders, “As a result, we have doubled our capacity and attracted many more new members” explains on of the club’s Run Leaders.

Funding has also been used to improve equipment, support training sessions, and make the club more accessible, while helping cover ongoing operational costs.

The lottery funding has enabled the organisation to expand its reach and encourage more residents to participate in physical activity, contributing to improved health and wellbeing while strengthening local connections.

We spoke with one of the club’s members, who explains how the club has supported her mental health, particularly after her Mum was diagnosed with dementia. Since joining the club six years ago, she has made significant progress, even signing up for a half marathon: “I couldn’t have done it without the club’s support.”

Luxford Centre

The Luxford Centre is a valued community facility that provides space for a wide range of local groups, services, and activities in Uckfield. As a registered good cause on the Wealden Community Lottery, it benefits from a sustainable and flexible funding source.

“Every little bit of extra funding we can get to help run this facility is greatly appreciated, and we’re very very grateful to the Wealden Lottery” cites the Chairman of the Luxford Centre.

Income generated through the lottery helps support the ongoing maintenance and operation of the centre, as well as contributing to improvements and community programmes delivered within the space. This funding is particularly important in covering core costs that are often difficult to secure through traditional grants.

By participating in the lottery, the Luxford Centre can continue to provide an accessible, welcoming hub for the community, supporting local organisations, events, and services that benefit residents of all ages.

One resident explains how the Luxford Centre supported her through her move over from Bristol 3 years ago, after losing her husband. “The friends I’ve made here have been a lifesaver for me”.

Sky High Trampoline Academy

Sky High Trampoline Academy provides opportunities for young people and the wider community to engage in physical activity through trampoline training and classes. The organisation has benefitted from the lottery by generating additional income to support its operations.

We spoke to one of Sky High Trampoline Park’s co-founders, who emphasised the importance of Lottery funds for the to the day-to-day running of the club, providing them with “a monthly income to buy equipment for our mini-fun sessions, family-fun sessions and SEN sessions”. Additional funds from the lottery also support the academy’s ability to grow and reach more participants.

The lottery has enabled the organisation to continue promoting fitness, confidence, and skill development among its members. This has resulted in increased participation, improved wellbeing, and expanded opportunities for local young people.

We spoke with a parent whose daughter attends one of the club’s SEN classes. She described the club as “everything to me”, praising its inclusive approach and the “sense of belonging” it gives her daughter.

Age Concern (Heathfield & District)

They are a local charity supporting older residents by providing vital services that reduce isolation and promote independence. Through the Wealden Community Lottery, the organisation has generated unrestricted funding to support day-to-day operations, including staffing, transport, and social activities.

The lottery provides a reliable income stream that complements other funding sources and helps them plan for the future. Elizabeth Keating, Secretary at Age Concern, explains that the organisation is entirely volunteer-led and that without donations such as the lottery, it would struggle to run a service that has become a “linchpin for the locality”.

The result is increased participation in activities, reduced loneliness, and continued access to essential support, helping older residents remain connected, active, and independent within their community. The funding also gives Age Concern greater flexibility to respond to local needs and continue providing services that make a meaningful difference to older residents.

Lottery funding has also helped Age Concern develop the Men’s Shed, which is described as a place where men can “meet, socialise and make things”.

Clued-Up

Clued-Up is a Crowborough-based organisation offering free, confidential support and advice for young people. Its services cover mental health, education, housing, and wellbeing. Through the lottery, Clued-Up has been able to generate additional funding to help sustain its vital services.

This funding supports ongoing operational costs, contributing to staffing and the delivery of front-line support. This is particularly important given the rising demand for youth services and mental health support. The Senior Youth Advisor told us how crucial lottery funds have been to the running of the organisation, supporting them to advertise and even providing snacks for the children.

As a result, Clued-Up has been able to continue providing accessible, early-intervention support to young people, helping them navigate challenges and improve their life outcomes. The lottery has strengthened the organisation’s financial resilience and enabled it to maintain consistent service provision.

“Clued Up really helped mould me as a person” explains one young person who’s benefitted from the service. “I wouldn’t have the jobs I have without them. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them”.

Overall impact and results

Since launching in March 2023, the lottery has supported over 120 local good causes and, as of August 2026, has raised more than £200,000 for community organisations and a central fund.

On average, around 2,000 tickets are sold each week, demonstrating strong engagement from residents.

Overall, the initiative has had a significant positive impact on community wellbeing, participation, and local connections across Wealden.