Hemel Hempstead's good cause Paradise went head-to-head with another project in the region for a slice of lottery cash.

They were featured on ITV's The People's Millions on Tuesday evening (November 24) which showed youngsters performing inside a specially brought in mobile studio.

Viewers were asked to vote for the project they wanted to receive the cash.

The charity was up against a Burnham theatre company that needed funding for a Shakespeare production with a cast of actors who have learning disabilities.

The team was gathered together on Wednesday evening and found out live on television they had secured the £42,773 needed.

The converted minibus is expected to be up and running in the new year and will travel to schools, groups and clubs across Dacorum.

Paradise is based in Wood Lane and offers training - from IT to fork-lift driving - to ex-offenders, young people excluded from school and people recovering from mental illness.


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