At the beginning of this year, supported by the Times Series, The Broadwalk Centre in Edgware opened the fourth round of its Community Fund Campaign, which gives local groups and charities the chance to win £500 every other month to help enhance their service.

Following a public vote which gave you, our readers, the chance to decide who deserved to be rewarded with the money, we are delighted to announce that The Larches are the winners for March.

Located in the heart of Edgware, The Larches Community is a registered charity set up in 1995 by those who were concerned about the lack of provision for young people and adults with learning disabilities.

It aims to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism through educational, social and cultural activities.

The charity runs daily educational and cultural programmes for people with learning disabilities so they can discover, explore and develop their own skills and abilities - encouraging them to enjoy and be part of the community that they live in.

Over the past 18 years The Larches Community has supported thousands of young people with learning disabilities and their families with their comprehensive life and employment skills training and an exciting recreational activities programme.

As winners, the charity will spend the £500 donation on top-up funds and grants for their classes, as many learners’ benefits have been cut, meaning they are unable to afford full course fees.

Angela Brooks, centre manager at The Broadwalk Centre, said: “The Larches Community is located in the heart of our town so we are delighted that they have won this month’s £500 donation.

"After winning the competition by over 40 votes it is clear that they work they do touches the lives of many people in the borough and I am sure that the money is really going to make a huge difference to the learners in their care.”

Linda Edwards, chief executive of The Larches Community, added: “We are delighted that Larches Community has won the community fund. We are faced with an emergency situation which has arisen due to the recent changes in the benefits system.

"This has left our learners with autism, mental health issues and learning disabilities unable to pay their course fees so it is hoped that the £500 donation will enable us to reinstate the learners who dropped out in the middle of the academic term due to financial difficulties.”

FINAL CHANCE TO NOMINATE: Since Summer 2013 The Broadwalk Centre has given away £2,000 to local causes and now it is re-opening its Community Fund nominations for one last time.

If you know of a local cause, charity, club or group that could benefit from a £500 donation then please nominate them. Maybe the scout hut needs new supplies, a nursing home is saving up for an outing with the residents or a charity needs new equipment – no cause will go unread.

All you have to do is email broadwalk@pmwcom.co.uk with the name of your cause, a brief description of the work they do and how they would spend the £500. Alternatively, you can write to The Broadwalk Centre’s Community Fund, c/o PMW Communications, Stane Court, Stane Street, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9HP.

The closing date for nominations is Sunday March 23, 2014.