Good causes across North Herts and Stevenage have their fingers crossed that public support will help them scoop a cash windfall this week.

Good causes across North Herts and Stevenage have their fingers crossed that public support will help them scoop a cash windfall this week.

They’ve been shortlisted for support from the Lloyds Bank Community Fund, but how well they do depends on how many votes they receive.

Home-Start Stevenage is one of four Stevenage charities which could receive up to £3,000 from the bank to support its community work.

Home-Start supports families with at least one child under five which are having a tough time.

Families are supported in their own home by volunteers trained and matched to families according to their need.

“In recent years we have seen an increase in mental health needs and the award would help us to support families with this need,” said a spokesman. “Studies have shown that an estimated one to two-thirds of children whose parents have mental health problems will experience difficulties themselves.”

Also on the shortlist in Stevenage are N-Able Herts Disability Sports Association (NHDSA), Stevenage Crucial Crew and the Pod 53 community coffee shop in Broadwater.

In Hitchin the shortlist of four good causes includes Jackie’s Drop In Centre, Growing People, Hitchin Shopmobility and Mind BLMK.

Nearly 250,000 votes have been cast for 1,400 groups up and down the country in the running for support, but the deadline for people to register their preference is on Friday, October 10.

Graham Lindsay of Lloyds said: “We are incredibly proud to be able to support more community groups than ever before to continue their vital work. Your vote can make a significant difference to the amount awarded to each community group.”

Members of the public can vote online, by SMS text message, by visiting a local Lloyds Bank branch and, for the first time, using Twitter. The number of votes cast in each community will determine how Community Fund awards are allocated. In each community the good cause that receives the most votes will receive a £3,000 award, with the second placed group receiving an award of £2,000, those in third and fourth place receiving £1,000 and £500 respectively.

To find out more and vote visit www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund.