Croydon community group celebrates after receiving National Lottery funding for a trip to London.
Local community group, Empowering Tamil Families, is celebrating after being awarded National Lottery funding to host community-led activities this September through the Mayor's Community Weekend. The Mayor's Community Weekend is a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund and the Mayor of London. The aim is to unite people and highlight what happens when people come together to celebrate the communities, vibrant culture, and diversity that make London special.
Empowering Tamil Families, based in Croydon, will use the funding to hold a Family Culture Day on Saturday, September 13, 2025, and a Trip to London on Sunday, September 14, 2025. The Family Culture Day, presented jointly with SVB, will include Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam, speeches, and snacks and soft drinks. The event will take place at 2:00 PM at Harris Academy Merton. The Trip to London will visit Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. The group will meet at East Croydon Rail Station at 9:30 AM.
Yoga Jeyam, project coordinator for Empowering Tamil Families, said: "We're delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund and the Mayor of London has recognised our work in bringing communities together. Thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to take families on a trip to London, which is important for our community."
Sadiq Khan, The Mayor of London, said: "I'm thrilled that more than 200 community groups will be bringing Londoners of all backgrounds together in September for the Mayor's Community Weekend. The first event was a huge success and this year we're looking forward to a wide range of special events and activities taking place across the capital as we celebrate our diverse communities and build a better London for everyone".
John Mothersole, England Chair at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: "Mayor's Community Weekend is a fantastic opportunity for communities across London to be bold and make something amazing happen on their doorstep. Thanks to National Lottery players, the Weekend will bring groups from all corners and demographics of the city together to celebrate London's unique place in the world. The groups we have awarded funding to—and the large number of excellent applications we received—are testament to the creativity and commitment of London's diverse communities".
This year, almost £400,000 of National Lottery funding has been awarded to over 200 charities and community groups across London for events and activities that will get people involved in their community, instilling trust and belonging and helping young Londoners thrive. The National Lottery Community Fund distributed money raised by National Lottery players, who raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. Thanks to them, last year The National Lottery Community Fund was able to distribute over half a billion pounds (£615.4 million) of life-changing funding to communities.
To find out more about the Mayor's Community Weekend and the events taking place, visit the Mayor of London's web page: https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/communities-and-social-justice/civil-society/mayors-community-weekend-funding-programme-2025.
Contact:
Yoga Jeyam, 07703558996
Ahilah Mathew, 07852747229