VOTING OPENS: Public can help Fenland’s good causes net �6,000 CommunityForce grants

The public will decide where the �18,000 should be spent - with 43 worthy causes from Peterborough and Fenland battling it out for the three �6,000 awards.

It is the second phase of CommunityForce, which was launched in July this year to support charities and good causes in communities served by RBS and NatWest branches.

Among the Fenland organisations hoping to benefit from the scheme are adult learning disability charity FACET and Wisbech Social Club & Institute.

Recycling initiative Fenland Scrapstore, 1st Doddington Scout Group, Fenland Scout Association and the Robert Hall Centre, in Wisbech, are also on the list of potential winners.

Several sports clubs are in the running, including March Town Cricket Club and Hungate Rovers Youth Football Club.

Cambridgeshire charity Little Miracles - co-founded by Michelle King from Benwick - could also be in line for a grant to help it continue its work supporting families with disabled children.

Natwest is offering three projects the chance to win the �6,000 prizes in each of the 158 CommunityForce areas in the UK. Following the launch more than 5,820 applications were received.

Damian Goldsack, NatWest’s CEO for the Peterborough area, said: “The response to the launch of CommunityForce has been incredible and it was great to see so many applications received from local charities and good causes.

“The voting is now open, and it is really important to me to ask the local community who should win these awards.

“CommunityForce is part of our ongoing commitment to support the communities where we live and work; not just by donating funds, but also through volunteering time and expertise.”

NatWest staff will also be getting involved by giving their time and expertise to the organisations, supporting the bank’s commitment to deliver 7,000 days of community volunteering in 2011.

The public can now vote for their favourite organisation until October 23. To vote, visit: www.natwest.com/communityforce

Full list of nominated organisations:

The Inspirations Studio

Home-Start East Cambs

Peterborough & District Cats Protection

Hampton FC - POSH Leaders

Newborough And Borough Fen Coronation Playing Field

FACET (Fenland Area Community Enterprise Trust)

Wisbech Social Club & Institute

Ely Beet Sports and Social Club

March Town Cricket Club (www.marchtowncricket.com)

Fenland Scrapstore

Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets

Young Lives

Godmanchester Community Association

abbey 345 playgroup

1st Doddington Scout Group

Royal Air Forces Association

Houghton School PTA

Fenland Scout Association

Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue (CamSAR)

Huntingdon, Peterborough & Cambridge Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre

Burghley Park Cricket Club

Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire & Peterborough

Project Peterborough and Fenlands

Soham Scout & Guide Community Hall

Glinton Friendship Club

Peterborough Street Pastors

Care Zone

The Robert Hall Centre

Hungate Rovers youth football club

Evergreen Care Trust

Holy Trinity Church Grounds Restoration

Hampton Events Committee

Ramsey Back On Track Resident’s Association

NCT

Cool2Care

Peterborough Citizens Advice Bureau

PARCA Youth

Paston Flyers FC

Can Do Communities

Little Miracles Peterborough

The K9 Project

The Olive Branch Community Garden & Allotments

Collyweston Playing Field Association