Lottery cash has been a God-send for many community groups and charities in Swindon, but some of the unlucky ones are now facing closure after failing to secure funding when the initial grant was spent. EMMA-KATE LIDBURY reports.

FOR MANY charities, Lottery funding has been a saving grace.

Since it started in 1994, the Lottery has provided more than £13 billion for good causes nationwide and in that time Swindon has received its fair share of the pot of Lottery gold.

But for some community groups and charities, it's not always good news. Although it may mean healthy lump sums, Lottery money doesn't always equate to a steady future.

While the initial boost of cash may make group leaders and charity co-ordinators giddy with delight, when the funds run out and there is no chance of reapplying, the comedown can be harsh.

This week, the Advertiser reported how the Swindon Advocacy Movement, an independent charity which helps adults with learning disabilities, faces closure because Lottery funds have run dry.

The charity started in 1995 with the help of Lottery cash. It received £30,000 for three years and was also given some Government funding which was later withdrawn. The situation is now looking increasingly bleak.

The National Lottery Good Causes scheme does not make any guarantee of future support when the initial money is awarded.

Eddie Barratt, a spokesman for the National Lottery, said: "One of the things we insist on is long term viability.

"We are not in the business of endlessly funding charities. They have to be able to show that when the money runs out they can find funds in some other way."

Jacqueline Lloyd is project co-ordinator at Community Mediation Swindon. Like SAM, her charity has a month to determine where its next cash boost is coming from if it is to escape closure.

"We received £200,000 of Lottery funding three years ago, but have not been able to secure any further money," said Jacqueline, who is now the only paid employee at the charity. The charity aims to settle disputes between neighbours through peaceful discussions.

When it was time to re-apply, Jacqueline discovered that the charity would need a totally new focus if it was to qualify for another three years of cash.

"None of this was explained," she said. "It is very frustrating to spend three years building up a charity only to learn that you have to redevelop and start working in another field to secure funds."

The last time Community Mediation applied for money from the Lottery's redevelopment fund, it was told that its work was something the Government should fund.

The town's Steam museum, in Churchward, has also suffered in a similar way.

The museum received just under £8m from the Lottery in June 2000. It has endured a troubled time since its opening. with losses of £500,000 a year. Earlier this month the museum was told Government funding would not be rescuing it.

When Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Tessa Jowell MP visited the museum on November 11 she made it clear the Lottery did not have a habit of abandoning groups in need.

"The museum has benefited from Lottery funding," said Ms Jowell.

"It's untrue to claim the Lottery has funded projects and then left them out to dry.

"It provides start-up capital for a lot of cultural and sporting projects but it is important that local partners own it if it is to be successful in the long term."

With such large-scale projects, this is where shortfalls can arise, but at grass roots level it is often easier to make the money work.

Last year, Highworth Canoe Club received an Awards for All grant for £4,900 and the money was used to launch a new canoe polo league and also paid for equipment.

"Without the Lottery funding we received we would not have been able to go forward the way we have," said Ian Tomkins, 33, secretary of the canoe club.

"The money has enabled us to keep enjoying the sport."

But he admits that that they couldn't sustain this without Lottery help. "We will look to the Lottery again in the future. As a club, we have 20 boats and, at £500 a time, we certainly won't be able to replace all of them," he said.

Only time will tell whether the canoe club, like many other groups and charities across the town, will be left to sink or swim when the time comes for that crucial injection of Lottery cash.

Emma-Kate Lidbury