The Ross-on-Wye based Marine Conservation Society (MCS) was one of over 4,000 charities and good causes to receive part of a £93.4 million pot raised during 2017 by players of the Edinburgh-based People’s Postcode Lottery. The charities’ funds were boosted by £600,000.

The cash has helped the UK’s leading marine charity continue its work for UK seas including creating an award-winning Good Fish Guide app.

The charity’s Chief Executive, Sandy Luk, attended the 2018 People’s Postcode Lottery annual Charity Gala at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, where it was announced that £93.4 million had been awarded to charities and good causes in 2017.

Sandy Luk said: “It’s humbling and awe-inspiring how much the players of People’s Postcode Lottery help MCS and charities like us to be a force for positive change. This is our fourth year of support and we’re seeing real results, for example, in what fish people choose too eat, and in the huge public support we now have for both government and individual action to stop the plastic tide that is choking our oceans”.

The annual Charity Gala celebrates the phenomenal achievements of charities working across the UK and internationally that are supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The event’s special guest was double Oscar winning actress, passionate campaigner, activist and president of the Helen Bamber Foundation which supports survivors of human cruelty, Emma Thompson. In a wide-ranging speech she covered leadership, women, human rights and the environment, saying “A single action can change everything”

Entertainment on the night was provided by singer Heather Small who brought the event to a close with a rendition of her Top 10 hit ’Proud’.

MCS says the funding is spent on tackling beach litter by getting thousands of people out on beaches removing and recording the pollution they find and helping the public to buy only sustainable fish.