West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed the news that £48 million has been distributed to good causes across the constituency as the lottery celebrates its 25th birthday. The MP joined National Lottery chiefs celebrating the £40 billion which has been awarded to good causes since the first draw in 1994. Harriett also visited Malvern charity Whatever Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful which scooped nearly £300,000 to help it provide help and support to families and children with special educational needs. Nearly 1000 good causes across the constituency have benefited from the national lottery ticket sales following the first prize draw on November 19, 1994. Every single month, National Lottery players help raise £37.7 million towards UK charities that support communities, heritage, sport and the arts. Over 80 per cent of these grants have gone towards small charities - those with an annual income of £500,000 or less - doing vital work in their local communities. Harriett commented: “The National Lottery has been great for so many good causes and wherever you go in West Worcestershire, you will see a charity, public space or project that proudly bears the logo that is has been funded by lottery funds. “Much of the publicity goes on the people who win large sums of money, but we are all winners as each ticket sale goes towards supporting important local community projects. “I encourage as many local charities and good causes as possible to make sure they bid for lottery funding. Let’s make sure West Worcestershire gets an even bigger share over the next 25 years.”