Charity to lose out in lottery deal

From the Bournemouth Echo, first published Thursday 8th Jun 2006.

A POOLE-based conservation charity is on the brink of losing nearly £40,000 after failing to sell enough tickets on a special internet lottery.

The Bill Jordan Foundation (BJF) had hoped to raise enough cash from the website lotto to build an orphanage in Nepal for severely disadvantaged children.

With the help of local businesses it offered a £38,000 luxury speedboat as first prize as well as many daily prizes. The first draw is scheduled to take place this Sunday, but the charity needs to sell at least 20,000 more tickets at £2 each just to break even.

Chairman of the BJF Adam Murry, said: "That kind of money represents an enormous loss to us.

"The foundation is a not-for-profit organisation. No one receives a salary and all monies go direct to the orphanage project. We just can't afford such losses."

The Bill Jordan Foundation is dedicated to protecting endangered animals and their shrinking habitats across the world through conservation and education projects.

It is heavily involved in Nepal, where it is setting up a centre to rehabilitate injured and displaced tigers.

He explained that the aim of the orphanage, which will cost £60,000 to complete, is to provide children with education, stressing conservation and ecology, as well as the skills needed to find work after school.

Now Mr Murry is appealing for a last minute flurry of ticket sales in an effort to ensure the orphans the charity supports do not lose out.

If anyone is interested in buying a ticket for the lottery they should go to www.winforaid.com or buy one from participating outlets, which are listed on the website.

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