DUDLEY Deaf Children's Society is waiting to hear whether it will win a grant worth up to £3,000.

The society has been shortlisted for the Lloyds Bank Community Fund 2014 and is urging all supporters to vote for them.

Run by both parents and professionals, the society supports children with varying degrees of hearing loss.

It also support the families involved, helping them from diagnosis throughout the child's development.

The society would use the money to organise events - giving children chance to meet other hearing impaired youngsters by organising Christmas parties, summer day trips and visits to the pantomine.

Society membership secretary Shelagh James said: "The money would mean so much to us because it would enable deaf children throughout Dudley borough to meet other children with hearing aids and it really does help to boost their confidence.

"We have in the region of 350 children in the borough with varying degrees of deafness.

"At the moment, we have a resource centre at Ashwood Park Primary School in Wordsley and another at Crestwood School in Bromley Lane.

"But the majority of children with hearing loss are educated in mainstream schools with the assistance of various support staff."

Voting for the Community Fund is open until Friday October 10.

To vote, Tweet #COMMFUND GLD, text VOTE GLD to 61119, check out website www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund or visit Lloyds Bank branches at Netherton, Dudley, West Bromwich and Great Barr.