IT’S that time of year again when Malvern Lions Club plays Santa and hands out Christmas presents to worthy organisations.

Community groups could benefit by up to £250 in grants with the latest giveaway by Malvern Hills Lions Club, supported by the Malvern Gazette and Ledbury Reporter.

The Lions have £1,250 to share out for the festive season and are now inviting applications from interested groups.

“We’ve been operating the scheme for 10 years, and in that time we’ve supported more than 150 community organisations,” said Bob Appleby, Lions club member.

Among the recent lucky recipients of Lions grants were Malvern Hills Volunteering, which received £250 towards the cost of a new laptop computer, and the Evergreen Children’s Centre in Malvern, which was given £75 to buy two gazebos for outdoor activities.

To apply for a grant, write to: Malvern Hills Lions Club Grant Scheme, Roni Skye, Malvern Gazette and Ledbury Reporter, Hylton Road, Worcester WR2 5JX.

Applicants must include the full name of the organisation, a contact name and telephone number, how much money is being applied for and an explanation of how the money will be used.

Any groups not successful in this round of the grants scheme will automatically have their applications held over for consideration in the next round, at Easter 2013.

The closing date for applications is next Friday, November 23, so make sure your applications reach us in time, and the winners will be announced over Christmas.