Todmorden newsagent gets surprise visit from Nicola Adams after raising more than £2million for good causes

Monty Dipoti has run Todmorden News, based on Bridge Street in the town, for more than 16 years, and in that time has helped to raise more than £2.3million for good causes through the sale of National Lottery tickets.

On average, 23p of every pound spent on The National Lottery goes to good causes, and Mr Dipoti is one of only 28 retailers across the country who have raised more than £2million for projects across community, heritage and sport.

To recognise his contribution, Mr Dipoti was surprised by a visit from Olympic gold medal-winning boxer Nicola Adams, who is also a beneficiary of National Lottery funding.

Together, they visited Northern Powerhouse Boxing Academy in Hebden Bridge, which has received £250,000 of National Lottery funding between 2018 and 2025 to help the academy move into new facilities.

Other Calderdale projects which have benefitted from National Lottery funding include The Piece Hall, which was awarded £7.2million in 2010 and has received more than £9.3million in total, and Northern Broadsides Theatre, which has been awarded more than £3million between 2000 and 2024.

Todmorden Learning Centre and Community Hub has been supported with £354,000 to redevelop its sports hall and provide community outreach programmes.

Mr Dipoti said: “It’s a real honour to be recognised in this way.

“I’ve been behind the counter at Todmorden News for 16 years, and in that time so many customers have become familiar faces and friends.

“Knowing that every ticket sold here can help support places like Northern Powerhouse Boxing Academy makes me incredibly proud.

“It shows how the small, everyday things people do in local shops can add up to something really special for the community.” 

Ms Adams said: “I would not have won Olympic gold were it not for the funding made possible by incredible independent retailers like Monty and The National Lottery.

“They are the heartbeat of their local communities.

“Thanks to their hard work, good causes like Northern Powerhouse Boxing Academy get the support they need, guiding the way for the next generation of Olympians.”

Alastair Ruxton, chief impact officer at Allwyn UK, which operates the National Lottery, said: “Most people in the UK live within half a mile of a National Lottery funded good cause project, in no small part due to the extraordinary efforts of independent retailers like Monty who sell National Lottery tickets.

“The remarkable £10billion local retailers have raised for good causes around the country has helped train Olympic and Paralympic athletes, fund award-winning British films and support thousands of vital community projects.

“Here in Yorkshire, that funding has helped organisations such as Northern Powerhouse Boxing Academy in Calderdale, while iconic cultural venues including The Piece Hall in Halifax have also benefitted from National Lottery support.”