The TLC Lottery was created in 1997 by three charities who all had applications turned down by the National Lottery Charities Board. It has proved to be a great success and has now given more than £2 million to its owner charities.

In May 2005 TLC Lottery embraced any charities and good causes nominated by one of their players, a process which is subject only to a simple application being completed by the nominated charity or good cause and accepted by the three owner charities.

It is intended that 90p of each new player's pound is shared by the charities, 45p being a guaranteed sum to the nominated charity or good cause and 15p each to TLC's owners, Acorns Children's Hospice, Birmingham Focus on Blindness and Birmingham St. Mary's Hospice. The remaining 10 pence is split between administration and an increase in prizes when it is deemed appropriate.

You can see the charities and good causes that are already benefitting by clicking here, and you can find out more about how TLC help Acorns, Birmingham Focus and St.Mary's hospice by visiting their websites.

To play it costs just £1 a go. It's fun and easy to enter and guarantees 164 prizes every week, including a top prize of £1,000. If you pay a full year's membership of £52, you will receive TLC's loveable teddy bear Q-tee absolutely free! You can win even more prizes by taking Q-tee on holiday and sending us a photo. Visit Teddy's Travels to see his recent snaps and vote for your favourite.