A WORCESTER hospice and three scout groups are in line for a major handout from Lloyds Bank.

St Richard’s Hospice, plus the First and Third Worcester Scout Groups and Worcester Scouts Explorer Unit, has been shortlisted for the Lloyds Bank Community Fund 2014 and could be awarded a grant of up to £3,000 . The public can now vote for the local hospice either by going into any Worcester branch of Lloyds Bank or by voting online. Voting is open until Friday, October 10 with the good cause that has most votes receiving £3,000 and the other groups receiving £2,000, £1,000 or £500 depending on the number of votes cast.

Mark Jackson, St Richard’s Hospice chief executive, said; “The Lloyds Bank Community Fund will help us continue to care for over 2,500 patients and their family members. We are asking local people to take just a couple of minutes to vote for St Richard’s Hospice to benefit from the Community Fund award, either in their local branch or online.”

Calum Best, Lloyds branch manager at St Johns, Worcester, added: "We became aware of the work St Richard’s Hospice does for the local community when a colleague of ours was being cared by it before he sadly passed away. I saw first-hand the amazing work the staff do, the before and after care that they provide is truly amazing. I know that patients and their families really value the support they provide.”

The Lloyds Bank Community Fund was set up to help local people across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man to have a positive impact at the heart of their community by giving grants to up to 1,400 local good causes in 350 communities. Members of the public can vote for their preferred community group in a Worcester branch of Lloyds bank or online at www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund