TODAY your Worcester News joins the Lions Club to launch an exciting new community grant scheme.

The scheme will mean hundreds of pounds going to community groups in the city at a time when help is needed most. Thanks to Worcester Lions Club, community groups could benefit by up to £250 in grants.

The initiative, supported by your Worcester News, will distribute grants to all kinds of groups – both big and small – to help with their vital community work. Worcester Lions Club has £1,000 to share out and is now inviting applications from interested groups.

Lions spokesman club president Angie Wytcherley said she hoped the scheme would help deserving community groups that may at the moment be unknown to the club.

The scheme has been backed by the Mayor of Worcester, Coun Roger Berry, who said: “I welcome the inauguration of a small grants fund as there are many small voluntary organisations in Worcester who will benefit from it.”

To apply for a grant, write to: Worcester Lions Club Grant Scheme, Roni Skye, Worcester News, Hylton Road, Worcester WR2 5JX.

Applicants must include the full name of the organisation, a contact name and telephone number, how much money is being applied for and an explanation of how the money will be used. Any groups not successful in this round of the grants scheme will automatically have their applications held over for consideration in the next round, in summer 2013.

The closing date for applications is Friday, February 8.