What's Got Mary So Excited?!

GLASGOW, Scotland, May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Unsuspecting shoppers in an ordinary newsagent got more than they bargained for as they bought their National Lottery ticket on Saturday morning.

Video link: http://bit.ly/1hwGn99

The shop's security cameras captured a flash-mob of National Lottery-funded projects spreading a cheery message of thanks for  funding they've received as a result of National Lottery sales over the last twenty years, with £31bn being raised for community projects over this time.

A full samba band popped up in the shop to the surprise of shoppers, including local resident, Mary Anne McMillan, 82. She said: "What a shock! You don't expect a Samba band to start playing when you're buying your National Lottery ticket. I've been playing the Lottery for years but I didn't know my money went to such brilliant causes."

Vicki Kennedy, spokesperson for The National Lottery, said: "The National Lottery made its first draw twenty years ago this year. Every week The National Lottery now raises over £33 million for projects around the UK. This was a chance for just a few of them to thank National Lottery players for making what they do possible."

Browns Newsagent, in Glasgow, was specially chosen as the venue for the Lotto Cheer after raising £2.7million for good causes - more than any other independent retailer in Scotland.

Owner, Michael Brown, said: "The Lotto Cheer morning was the most fun our shop has ever known. Our customers have never seen anything like it before - they're still talking about it. It was a great way to say 'thank you' to National Lottery players for supporting local good causes - I'm sure it's something they'll think about every time they buy a ticket in the future."

National Lottery funded projects that took taking part in the Lotto Cheer included volunteers from Samba Ya Bamba, the West End Festival, Haldanes Youth Services, Mischief La Bas, Scottish Youth Theatre and the Commonwealth Youth Circus.

Watch the video: http://bit.ly/1hwGn99

#LottoThanks

http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

Notes to the editor  

Every week, National Lottery players raise over £33 million for good causes.  Since 1994, over £31 billion has been invested in the UK in more than 420,000 arts, sports, heritage, health, education, environment, charity and voluntary projects.