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GOLO - THE GODALMING LOTTERY
It is with great regret and a lot of sadness that I must inform you that GOLO has now closed – this was our 137th and last draw – and not at our traditional ‘home’ of the Pepperpot, as has been the case for the past eleven years, but in our treasurer’s drive – observing social isolation… another victim of the dreaded Coronavirus.
GOLO officially ‘opened for business’ in November 2008 and was (and possibly still is) the first small town lottery of its type in England. On the last Saturday of each month you had the chance of winning £500 or one of sixteen other cash prizes. GOLO was run entirely by unpaid volunteers who were enthusiastic in their belief that Godalming deserves to have the support of people who live in, work in, or visit the town. Buying GOLO tickets ensured that monies raised benefitted everyone.
And by everyone, that’s not only those who shared £1,000 each month if their ticket came out of the ‘drum’ but also ‘Good Causes’ – this was the very essence of GOLO – to support our local community and countless groups and organisations who have benefitted from this initiative.
And now, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have made the tough decision to close – good stewardship will ensure all our obligations both to you, our ticket manufacturers, those who have standing orders, our commitment to Good Causes and to ensure that the Lotteries commission’s regulations are met.
We have advised those who have licensed our activities that we will be closing GOLO at the end of June 2020, which allows the statutory three-month period for collecting and claiming outstanding prizes.
GOLO was created by this association and over that eleven year period has given out over £130,000 in prizes and over £50,000 to Good Causes – it has been a unique lottery – run by volunteers – supported monthly by generous local sponsors – by those folk who set-up Standing Orders and by our numerous outlets who promoted and sold tickets for us and not least… by you – it is a great shame that this community based initiative has run its course and will leave a hole in many people’s lives.
To you all, my grateful thanks for your support.
Simon Crowther
Chairman – the GO GODALMING ASSOCIATION and GOLO Promoter
March 2020