A Cambridgeshire charity is bidding to bag a cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative which runs until October.

Tom’s Trust, which was set up to care for children with brain tumours, is one of three groups shortlisted to receive either £4,000, £2,000 or £1,000.

The money is raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores and the community funding scheme is being run with Groundwork.

Debs Whiteley, founder of Tom’s Trust, said: “If a child is diagnosed with a brain tumour in Ely, they will be treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, where the charity provides clinical psychologists.

“The psychologists support the children and their families from the point of diagnosis, helping them through the trauma of such a devastating diagnosis and treatment.

“This was not available when my son Tom was diagnosed. There was no support at all, so we are proud to see the difference we are making to this group of children and their families.’’

Voting is open in all Tesco stores throughout September and October. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

Tesco’s Bags of Help project has already delivered over £33 million to more than 6,400 projects across the country.

Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every other month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.

Alec Brown, head of community at Tesco, said: “There are some fantastic projects on the shortlists and we can’t wait to see these come to life in hundreds of communities.’’

Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s national chief executive, said: “We’ve been thrilled to see the diversity of projects that have applied for funding, ranging from outdoor classrooms, sports facilities, community gardens, play areas and everything in between.”

Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp

Visit http://www.tomstrust.org.uk/ for more information about the charity.