18 March 2019

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has presented the Postcode Hero award to George and Amal Clooney at the People’s Postcode Lottery Charity Gala in Edinburgh.

The Award was in recognition of the couple’s work to safeguard human rights.

First Minister @NicolaSturgeon presenting #GeorgeClooney & #AmalClooney with a cheque for £1 MILLION for the Clooney Foundation for Justice at last night’s #PPLCharityGala!

Sounds like George is a fan of our favourite song too 🎉https://t.co/J2srPKIkNP pic.twitter.com/kr9yZZVcd1

— Postcode Lottery (@PostcodeLottery) March 15, 2019

The First Minister said:

Amal and George Clooney are worthy recipients of these Postcode Hero Awards which recognise their outstanding commitment to improving people’s lives and ensuring some of the most vulnerable people in our world get the justice, opportunities and support that they need.”

Following the Award, George and Amal were presented with a cheque for £1 million, raised by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery which will help fund TrialWatch – a project run by the Clooney Foundation for Justice. The Foundation now plans to increase its monitoring of trials in countries where human rights are at risk.

Women’s rights campaigner, Nice Nailantei Leng’ete, was also presented with a Postcode Hero award in recognition of her work to end female genital mutilation / cutting amongst Maasai communities in Kenya. Ms Leng’ete also received a cheque for £500,000 for Amref Health Africa UK.

The First Minister added:

Since it began People’s Postcode Lottery has raised more than £400 million for good causes. I am delighted to be given this opportunity to congratulate them and all of the charities and grass roots organisations they work with.”