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The Dunstable Community Lottery is celebrating an exciting milestone after its very first £2,000 prize winner in the draw held on Saturday 11 April.
Mr C from Dunstable scooped the top prize after matching five numbers, all while supporting local good cause Sorted Counselling Services. This win highlights the growing success of the lottery in supporting community initiatives while rewarding players.
The Dunstable Community Lottery was launched to raise funds for local charities, clubs, and organisations, ensuring that vital community projects continue to thrive. Since its launch in May 2025, the lottery has already awarded £2,875.00 in cash prizes and has now raised a fantastic £7,408.20 for local good causes.
With 34 registered charities and non-profit organisations currently signed up, the lottery provides a sustainable, year-round fundraising stream for the organisations that make Dunstable thrive. The chosen cause receives 60p from every £1 ticket you buy and goes back to improving causes in the Dunstable community.
There are weekly cash prizes to be won up to the value of the £25,000 jackpot and with 50:1 odds of winning a prize you’ll find a bit of fun at the same time as knowing you’re really helping your local community.
Mr C was delighted to receive his 2,000 prize and is very happy to see the benefits going to his chosen charity Sorted Counselling Services.
“I chose to support Sorted Counselling Services because access to mental health support is important for young people as I myself benefited from counselling from Sorted, and it’s great to know that the funds raised go directly towards helping people in the local community.
I heard about the lottery through word of mouth from the charity itself and thought it was a simple way to contribute to a good cause.
Winning was completely unexpected and very exciting! It’s a fantastic boost and will make a real difference.
I would recommend others sign up to the lottery, not only do you have a chance to win, but more importantly you’re supporting valuable local organisations that make a real impact.”
Mr C
We spoke with Emma Spacek, Clinical and Services Director of Sorted Counselling Services, and here’s what she had to say!
Tell us a bit about your cause and the work you carry out within the community:
Our organisation provides a 1-to-1 counselling service for children and young people aged 5–25. We offer a safe and supportive space where they can explore their emotions, build resilience, and develop confidence. We work with individuals facing a range of challenges, offering early intervention and therapeutic support to help improve their wellbeing and life outcomes. At the heart of what we do is a commitment to making sure every young person feels heard, valued, and supported within their community.
How did you hear about the lottery and what made you decide to join?
We’ve always had a good relationship with Dunstable Town Council, as they are the local council for the area we work in. When they reached out to us by email about the lottery, it really resonated with us. It felt like such a positive way to bring the community together while supporting local charities. We loved the idea of people being able to give back in a simple way, while also having a bit of excitement themselves, so joining felt like a natural step for us.
Is there a particular project or service you are hoping to raise funds for?
We are hoping to raise funds to support our free counselling service for children and young people. This will help us fund 1-to-1 counselling sessions and ensure that those who need support can access it without financial barriers. With the growing demand for mental health support, this funding is so important in helping us continue to provide timely and accessible care to those who need it most.
How has joining the lottery benefited your cause?
Joining the lottery has given us a valuable and sustainable way to bring in additional funding, which is incredibly important in the current climate. It has also helped raise awareness of our work within the local community, connecting us with more people who want to support what we do.
What advice would you give to other causes thinking of joining the lottery?
We would absolutely encourage other organisations to get involved. It’s a simple and effective way to raise funds while also increasing your visibility within the community. The support from the lottery team has been really positive, and it’s a great way to engage people in supporting local causes in a meaningful and uplifting way.
“It’s especially heartening to see Sorted Counselling Services benefit from our very first £2,000 prize winner. Organisations like this provide vital support to people in our community who need it most, often at difficult times in their lives. This win highlights how the Dunstable Community Lottery not only creates exciting opportunities for players, but also delivers meaningful funding to services that truly make a difference.” Town Mayor of Dunstable Cllr Sally Kimondo
In addition to the top prize winner, several other participants received prizes in the same draw, including a £25 win for Ms P who kindly donated this to her chosen charity CHUMS.
How the Dunstable Community Lottery Works
The Dunstable Community Lottery is an online fundraising solution provided by Dunstable Town Council with no upfront costs for the causes involved.
Support Local: 60p from every £1 ticket goes directly to local good causes.
Win Big: Weekly cash prizes range from free tickets up to a £25,000 jackpot.
Great Odds: With a 50:1 chance of winning a prize, it’s a fun and effective way to give back.
For more information about the Dunstable Community Lottery or to sign up, visit the official website: www.dunstablecommunitylottery.co.uk
Players must be 18+ and BeGambleAware.
