A CARE charity has been handed a £3,000 boost from the Lloyds Bank Community Fund.

St Richard’s Hospice will receive the cash after residents in Worcester voted for the organisation in their thousands.

The money will be used to support the charity’s Hospice at Home service, which supports patients who wish to remain at home at the end of their life.

Mark Jackson, chief executive of St Richard’s Hospice, said; “This award from the Lloyds Bank Community Fund will help us continue to offer specialist compassionate care for patients at home and support their family members.

“We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for St Richard’s Hospice either in their local branch or online.”

Calum Best, branch manager at Lloyds Bank in St John’s, said: “We became aware of the work that St Richard’s Hospice do for the local community when a colleague of ours was being cared by them before his death, and we are very pleased to be able to support such a worthwhile cause.

“We would like to thank all our customers who took part in the awards this year.

“The other charities in Worcester that will also benefit from the Community Fund 2014 are 1st Worcester Scouts Group who have been awarded £2,000, Worcester Scouts Explorer Unit who will receive £1,000 and 3rd Worcester Scout Group who will be donated £500.”

St Richard’s Hospice is also hoping for a further financial boost, after launching a fundraising raffle.

The prize is a brand new Mazda 3 and tickets, which go on sale on Monday, December 1, cost only £1.

Edwards Motors, Kempsey, Worcester Racecourse, Premier Places and Droitwich Print have sponsored the raffle.

Lizzie Brazier, a community fundraiser at St Richard’s, said, “This is a great way to support the hospice and also be in with a chance to win a fantastic prize.

“Raffle tickets make a great stocking filler too.

“We are expecting the raffle to be very popular and so would encourage people to buy theirs as soon as possible.”

Tickets can be purchased from St Richard’s Hospice shops throughout the county, from St Richard’s Hospice in Wildwood Drive, Worcester, or by calling the fundraising department on 01905 763963.