TWO community groups in Basingstoke have been awarded some much needed cash to maintain services in the borough after receiving support from the public.

Basingstoke Mencap and Basingstoke SEN Resource Centre have been awarded £3,000 each by Lloyds Bank Community Fund.

Catherine Mole, office and development manager at Mencap, said: “Basingstoke Mencap are over the moon to have been voted for in such numbers by the public in Basingstoke.

“The award of £3,000 from the Lloyds Bank Community Fund will mean that we can introduce some vital activities at our Tuesday club for adults with learning disabilities.

“Over the course of the coming year, we will run cookery classes and computer training sessions to help our members become more independent, more healthy and more able to communicate with others.

“Thank you to every person who voted for us – it will make a huge difference to the lives of our members.”

The Lloyds Bank Community Fund aims to help local people have a positive impact at the heart of their communities by giving grants to good causes in each community.

The fund has awarded grants to 1,332 good causes over the country with 390,000 people across England and Wales benefitting from the scheme.

Each cause that was shortlisted received votes online, in Lloyds branches and by SMS during September and October, with over 2.3 million votes being cast by the public.

Graham Lindsay, group director for responsible business at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We know that receiving a promotional boost and public support is as important as the financial investment and can have sustained impact on groups’ engagement with their local community over time.”