What is the Age UK Lottery?
The Age UK Lottery is a pioneer when it comes to raising money for British citizens of a certain age. In this blog, we are looking into the background of the charity, their mission statement and how they helped for many years and continue helping the elderly population of the UK. Read more for details.
The Origins of Age UK
The charity was originally known as “Help the Aged” for 15 years until it merged with another charity called “Age Concern” in 2009 and became known as the Age UK.
The charity aims to generate as much money as possible through its various channels, such as lottery and raffle draws, and then use the proceeds to bankroll other projects designed to help those over 75. To date, the Lottery has raised over £60 million.
Who Benefits from the Lottery Proceedings?
When playing the Age UK Lottery, you have the chance to win up to £2,000 every Friday on the weekly draws, and win up to £25,000 on the quarterly draws an entry fee of only a pound. A huge 60% of all the lottery proceeds go directly into the charities’ coffers, which help fund various projects, such as nursing homes, TV licenses and educational foundations.
You might think that gambling is a strange way of generating funds to help the elderly. However, lotteries are prevalent in the UK, and a massive 75% of the nation has tried their luck by participating in games of luck, playing at various online gambling sites in the UK. If you have the chance to win a large sum of money, whilst at the same time, helping our senior citizens, it appears to be a win/win situation.
How to Play the Age UK Lottery?
As of April 2021, the legal age to participate in all lotteries in the UK is 18. Prior to that, the legal age to play the UK lottery was 16. It was outlawed as the court found that 16 years was too young to be a responsible age should they win a large sum of money.
It is quite a simple process to play the Age UK Lottery. As with all gambling sites, you will need to register your details and a valid payment method to purchase your tickets and be able to withdraw your winnings should you be fortunate enough to win a prize.
Check the steps below on how you can play the Age UK Lottery:
- Visit the: Age UK Lottery webpage;
- Select the button “Play Now” and follow the steps;
- Select the number of tickets you would like to purchase;
- Choose your payment method. Either Debit/Visa Cards or PayPal;
- Enter your name, address, email and contact number;
- Respond to the confirmation email;
- Decide if you would like to set up a weekly direct debit that will automatically generate your tickets.
Is The Age UK Lottery Reputable?
The Age UK Lottery is considered very reputable and safe. It is regulated by the UK’s gambling authority, the Gambling Commission. They monitor that the charity abides by strict gaming laws. Age UK obtained the license 20 years ago when it was still called “Helped the Aged.” You can safely assume that everything is above board.
It is considered that 1 in 42 people win some sort of prize on the Age UK Lottery, making it the most “winnable” lottery in the UK. Here’s a breakdown of the prizes you can win if you purchase a ticket.
| Place | Weekly Draw Prize | Quarterly Draw Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | £2,000 | £25,000 |
| 2nd Place | £2500 | £5,000 |
| 3rd Place | £150 | £2,500 |
| 4th Place | £100 | £2,000 |
| 5th Place | £50 | £1,500 |
| 6th Place | 995 winners £10 each | £1,000 |
| 7th Place | N/A | £300 |
| 8th Place | N/A | £150 |
| 9th Place | N/A | £100 |
| 10th Place | N/A | £50 |
Is There Any Other Way I Can Help Age UK?
There are many ways you can help the charity out apart from purchasing its lottery tickets. With over 400 charity shops scattered across the country, Age UK volunteers are in high demand. If you have some free time on your hands and you would like to help out a great charity, why not give them a call to see if you can put that free time to great use?
Local fundraisers are Age UK’s biggest money-spinner. They generate over 30% of their entire income. Whether it’s skydiving, running or baking, there is something for everyone to contribute with. Last month Age UK offered people to get involved with their “300,000 steps” fundraiser, thousands took part in the initiative which raised almost £700,000 for the charity. If you would like to get involved, simply head over to their website and fill out their application form!
Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Age UK Lottery
Now we have reached the end of the article, we answer some of the most common questions related to Age UK and its lottery. We have tried to provide straightforward, clear, and consice information for your convenience. Read below to learn more details and be better informed about the Age UK Lottery.
1️⃣ When did the Age UK Lottery emerge?
The Age UK Lottery has been ongoing since late 2005. It’s been supporting the elderly and various other charities ever since. Age UK is the charity behind the lottery and it was formed after merging with Age Concern in April 2009.
2️⃣ Where does the money go?
Primarily, the Age UK charity is designed to support the older generation through various means, such as the lottery, charity shops or local fundraisers. They also support many educational and research institutions. If you decide to take part in this lottery, you can be certain that your money is going to a good cause.
3️⃣ What are the prizes of the lottery?
For just £1 to enter, you will have the chance to win anything between £10 and £2,000. There’s an additional draw that takes place every 3 months and offers you the chance to win £25,000. Besides, your contribution is making a difference in the lives of the elderly.
4️⃣ How can I help the charity?
There are many different ways you can help the charity. You have the opportunity to either volunteer to work for them or organise and participate in local fundraisers. Playing the Age UK Lottery is only one of many ways you can help the charity.
5️⃣ Is the Age UK Lottery a safe and reputable website?
Yes, the website is very reputable and safe. Is it regulated by the UK’s biggest gambling regulation authority - The Gambling Commission. In addition, the lottery has existed for a long time and has paid out a great amount of prizes. This proves that the initiative is totally legit and trustworthy.