A HOSPICE has been handed £500 thanks to support from the community.

St Helena Hospice was handed the cash by housebuilder Taylor Wimpey as part of its nationwide community donation scheme.

Members of the public in the Colchester area were invited to vote for a good cause to receive the cash.

The hospice came out on top and was handed £500.

The runners up were Emmaus Colchester and Colchester Family Support, which received a £300 and £100 prize respectively.

Michael O’Leary, from Taylor Wimpey, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to announce St Helena Hospice as the winner of our community competition.

“We’re so pleased the community got behind the competition and placed their votes to support the causes we nominated.”

Sarah Wilson, the hospice’s corporate fundraising manager, said: “When we were nominated for Taylor Wimpey’s community competition, we were absolutely thrilled and it was even more of an honour to be announced as the winner.

“Two-thirds of our funds comes from our community, through donations such as this, and it really does make a difference.”