SKIPTON Building Society has won a major award for its Grassroots Giving scheme in a campaign to find Britain’s most caring organisations.

The society was up against more than 200 other nominations in the International CSR Excellence Awards 2014, which rewards organisations for showing corporate social responsibility.

Roy Prenton, who coordinates Skipton’s Grassroots Giving scheme, said: “This award recognises the fact that Skipton is playing its part in helping all those unsung heroes in communities across the country who are doing their bit to help others.

"To be recognised as a caring organisation is a real honour for the society. And this trait is something for which we were founded over 160 years ago - to help communities help themselves.

"Grassroots Giving has already helped hundreds of small community groups to achieve their dreams and we will be helping many more in the coming months, with applications now open for this year’s campaign.”

In 2013, Grassroots Giving gave 160 donations of £500 to small, community-minded groups, clubs and organisations across the UK.

The society will receive its award at a presentation ceremony in London on Monday, June 30.