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UCAN Perform makes it through to the UK final of The National Lottery Awards 2006 |
UCAN Perform, a creative arts project for visually impaired young people, has triumphed through to the UK final of The National Lottery Awards 2006 after being been voted Wales’ favourite Lottery-funded project. In a public vote, thousands showed their support for Cardiff-based UCAN Perform in its quest to claim the title. The company, which is a co-operative successfully overcame stiff competition from three other local projects, initially selected from hundreds, for its prestigious place in the final. Former Hollyoaks actor Bernard Latham and his wife Jane set up UCAN Productions so that children with visual impairment from across Wales could access the arts. With the help of £4,800 of Lottery funding from the Arts Council of Wales, visually impaired children from five local schools took part in a series of drama workshops which concluded with a performance. The children learnt about drama and acting along with the technical and artistic aspects of theatre such as lighting and sound. The experience had a huge impact on the youngsters involved, boosting their confidence and self esteem and also challenged the perceptions of sighted members of the public towards people with visual impairment. Bernard is delighted that UCAN is through to the UK finals, saying: “UCAN opens up a whole new world to visually impaired children and gives them a much needed chance to improve their physical and vocal confidence and very importantly make new friends with others who suffer from a visually impairment. Thanks to Lottery funding we are raising awareness of these young people’s talent and capabilities and giving them new skills. The children are all thrilled to have come this far and winning this award would really help to highlight their achievements.” Peter Tyndall, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Wales said: "ACW is delighted that the creativity and enthusiasm of these young people has been recognised by this award and we are pleased to have been able to support them through a National Lottery grant. Full credit must be given to UCAN for demonstrating how all the people of Wales can and should have opportunities to enjoy the arts." Now, UCAN Perform need your vote, as they compete in the Children’s Champion category in the finals of the Awards. They are up against Midnight Street Soccer, which uses football to involve young people in community activity; Post Pals, a project allowing individuals across the world to post a message, card or gift to a seriously ill child; and Sunbeams Music Trust, which provides music therapy to children with special needs. Winners will be announced during a special BBC 1 programme, ‘Everyone’s a Winner’, on National Lottery Day, Saturday 23 September. The show will be hosted by Noel Edmonds. To register your vote for UCAN Perform call 0845 434 8937 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk and click on National Lottery Awards. Voting lines are open now and close at 6.00pm on Friday 22 September 2006. Since The National Lottery began in 1994, more than £890 million has been raised for good causes in Wales and over 23,000 grants given out across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment in Wales. The National Lottery Awards recognises the hard work and dedication of people who use Lottery funding to make a difference to communities across Wales and the rest of the UK. |
| national lottery awards web site: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk |
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Thursday, September 14, 2006 |
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