AN appeal to bring joy to disabled children is bidding for more funding - but it needs your help.
The Lexden Springs 100,000 Smiles appeal has been shortlisted in the Lloyds Bank Community Fund.
And appeal volunteers are asking Gazette readers to support their bid by voting for their cause.
The group with the most votes will get £3,000 as will the runner-up.
The remaining groups will receive £300 each.
The four charities in the running for the money are the Lexden Springs Appeal Fund, Autism Anglia, Headway Essex and Prince of Tides Westley Odger Foundation.
Charlotte Foxley, chairman of Lexden Springs School’s parent teacher association, said: “We realise they are all worthy causes.
“We are such a small group and are all volunteers. We hope the public will support us.”
The 100,000 Smiles appeal, which is supported by the Gazette, aims to raise £100,000 to pay for a play area to be developed at the school in Halstead Road.
Some of the students, who have severe learning difficulties, cannot use conventional play equipment due to their disabilities and the school is desperate for funding to create an area of its own.
Votes can be cast online, via text or at Lloyd bank branches until November 1.
To vote online, go to www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund and enter your name and email address. Once a vote is cast, the voter will receive an email from the Lloyds Community Fund and they must click on the link to make their vote count.
Alternatively, voters can text the word VOTE KPXB to 61119. Messages will be charged at the mobile phone users’ standard message rate.
Votes can also be made in Lloyds branches in Crouch Street and High Street in Colchester, at the University of Essex and in Tiptree.