Wendy Leedham, head of personal banking at Lloyds TSB. The bank is making the money available through its Small Change – Big Difference scheme. Picture: MATTHEW HOTTON (00904932)

NEW £1,000 grants are being offered to Island community groups.

The cash is being made available by Lloyds TSB bank through its Small Change – Big Difference charitable scheme, which waslaunched early in March in conjunction with the JEP.

Community groups are now being invited to apply for the grants by explaining how they would use the money to make small, but significant improvements to their neighbourhoods.

A cheque for £1,000 will be given out every three months to the group judged the winner by a panel from the bank and the JEP.

Wendy Leedham, a senior manager for Lloyds TSB in Jersey, explained that the winners would be visited at the end of the year.

She said: ‘Any not-for-profit organisation that can demonstrate an active involvement in its local community can apply for the £1,000 prize.

‘Applicants need not be registered charities, but must be able to demonstrate a long-standing and ongoing involvement in community life in the Island.

‘The judges envisage the award being used to purchase new, or replace existing, equipment or other items that will make a real and lasting difference to the work of the organisation.’

She added: ‘Being able to embark on a sustained and co-ordinated activity aimed solely at improving the quality of life on the Island is just one of the ways we play an active part as a member of the community.

‘This is an exciting time for Lloyds TSB and we hope to see lots of applications for the award, which we think really will help make a big difference.’

• More information is available on the bank’s website: Click here