The Gazette’s Give Us A Chance appeal for Devizes Opportunity Centre could be £3,000 better off if readers vote for the charity.

It has been nominated by Lloyds Bank Community Fund for the Devizes area and is guaranteed at least £500.

But this could rise to £3,000 if it gets the most votes for the area.

Centre manager Betty Newman said: “We are up against three other good causes and I don’t like to push us forward but we could really do with £3,000. Even £500 will be fabulous.

“People can vote online or by going into the Devizes branch of Lloyds. You don’t have to have an account with Lloyds to vote.”

The Gazette launched its appeal for the centre earlier this year when it was told its funding was to be cut by £10,000 a year due to the Government stopping a special grant.

This cut was passed on to Devizes Opportunity Centre and three other special needs nurseries in the county by Wiltshire Council.

Mrs Newman is delighted with the way Gazette readers have responded to the appeal.

She returned to the centre this week after the summer break to find a number of new donations had arrived. These included a cheque for £625 raised thanks to a scooter rally held at The Coopers Arms pub in Pewsey by the Swindon In Crowd.

She also received email confirmation that £500 is to be donated by organisers of Rowde Fete.

Mrs Newman said: “We had a busy start to the term with a number of new referrals. It is rewarding to see how many people are backing us. I have been overwhelmed by the support.”

To vote in the Lloyds Community Fund go to communityfund.lloydsbank.com or go into the branch in Market Place, Devizes.

More details are available on the Devizes Opportunity Centre Facebook page.

Voting ends at 11.59pm on October 10.

The other causes nominated are Bradbury Manor Respite Services, Sutton Benger village hall and Age UK Wiltshire.