Mills welcomes cultural Trust proposals

The Millennium Commission, the Department for Culture Media and Sport, the Big Lottery Fund and Arts Council England have offered to make £35m available to fund the potential trust.

The programme should promote Olympic and Paralympic ideals celebrating mind, body and spirit, foster innovation and creativity and leave a lasting positive legacy of the Games for future generations.

Sir Keith said today "This is a very welcome initiative which will help us promote aspects of the Games, both sporting and cultural.

"Our aim is to inspire everyone throughout the UK to get involved in the run up to the Games and the Games themselves. The setting up of this Trust will help us achieve this important goal."

Proposals are being sought from those willing to establish a Trust which will deliver a high profile, coherent programme of activities at a local, regional and national level between 2006 to 2012.

An application pack giving further details can be obtained by sending an email with your contact details to trustfund@millennium.gov.uk.

12 April 2006