Unemployment charity Suited for Success reaches finals of National Lottery Awards

Birmingham charity Suited for Success, which helps unemployed men and women find suitable interview outfits, is appealing for votes after reaching the finals of the National Lottery Awards – the annual search for the UK’s favourite National Lottery-funded projects.

The charity is competing in the Best Education Project category. The project beat off stiff competition from over 700 organisations to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards, which celebrate the inspirational people and projects who do extraordinary things with National Lottery funding.

The project with the most votes will be crowned the winner and receive a £5,000 cash prize to spend on their project, an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and attend a star-studded glittering awards ceremony to be broadcast on BBC One on Wednesday 26 September.

Suited for Success is a charity which provides essential moral support along with free second-hand suits and workwear to help unemployed men and women make a great first impression in a job interview that could change their life. As the charity slogan states, “First impressions count”.

Managing director, Patricia White, says winning a prestigious National Lottery Award and having their work showcased on national television would be an honour:

“To be able to provide job interview presentation skills and free interview outfits to those who have experienced long-term unemployment, have a history of offending, drug abuse, homelessness, poverty and other life challenges is hugely rewarding.

“We’re delighted that our work on building self-esteem and confidence to help the people who need it most into employment has been recognised, and we can’t wait to push Suited for Success for the Best Education Project.

“We’re really looking forward to the campaign and promoting our work and hope that everyone can get behind us for the National Lottery Awards!”

Musician, activist and National Lottery Awards Ambassador, Professor Green, commented: “It’s thanks to National Lottery players, who raise over £30 million each week for good causes, that extraordinary projects like those in the finals of the National Lottery Awards are possible.

“Suited for Success is doing an incredible job for the benefit of its local community and the work they do is hugely impressive. So what are you waiting for? Give them your support and get voting!”

There are seven projects competing for votes across seven categories, reflecting the main areas of National Lottery funding: arts, education, environment, health, heritage, sport and voluntary/charity.

To vote, go to lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. Voting runs from 9am on 27 June until midnight on 27 July.