THERE are just two weeks to go until entries close for the Gloucestershire 2019 Local Business Charity Awards.

Organisers are hoping to receive more entries from Gloucestershire charities who want to thank, recognise and praise the hard work of their local corporate supporters in these free to enter awards.

Awards founder Louise Bruce said: "We’ve been running these awards since 2014 and time and time again charities tell us that although they very much appreciate the £1.000 prize, mostly they love being able to say a very big and very public ‘thank you’ to the businesses that do so much to support them. Charities rely on support from businesses and we want to do all we can to help continue those vital relationships.

"All a charity has to do is to go to our website and fill out the nomination form. It is entirely free to enter and, if they reach the finals both business and charity will be invited, as guests of Jelf and Ageas, to the awards night which we’ll be holding at the Tithe Barn in Bishops Cleeve in September.

Entries close on Friday, July 12. and finalists will be announced on Friday, August 16.

The judges are Edward Gillespie, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Alex Chalk, MP for Cheltenham, Nichola Thomson, managing director, Midlands and South West, Rachael Sugden, senior editor, Gloucestershire Live, Cathy Taylor, Head of Commercial Underwriting and Operations, Ageas Insurance.

There are three award categories:

The Jelf Award: entries are accepted from Gloucestershire charities with an annual income of more than £200,000 a year nominating a Gloucestershire business that supports them. If the company they nominate wins, the charity will receive a prize of £1,000;

The Ageas Award: entries are accepted from Gloucestershire charities, with an annual income of less than £200,000 a year, nominating a Gloucestershire business that supports them. If the company they nominate wins, the charity will receive a prize of £1,000;

The Individual Award: entries are accepted from any Gloucestershire charity, nominating a person for their personal dedication and contribution to that charity. The prize is a £300 weekend away.