SKIPTON Building Society has shortlisted a total of 304 community-minded organisations for this year’s award-winning Grassroots Giving campaign.

Groups from all over the UK are bidding to win a share of the £80,500 prize fund.

There are 161 pots of £500 on offer and the money will be given to the groups which receive the highest number of votes during September.

The shortlisted groups can be seen on skiptongrg.co.uk

Society spokesman Roy Prenton said: “Once again, we’ve had a magnificent response to our campaign with hundreds of community groups and projects putting themselves forward.

”We have had entries from all parts of the UK, all deserving causes, and we are pleased to be able to put these groups forward to the public vote which will decide who gets the money.

“Voting for the shortlisted groups opens on Monday. Last year, an incredible 20,000 people took the time to go online to support their favourite group.

“Now it’s time to tell the UK that Grassroots Giving is ready to choose some more winners and another 161 cash donations of £500 will go to organisations around the country when voting ends.”

SBS launched its Grassroots Giving scheme last year to celebrate its 160th anniversary.

David Cutter, Skipton’s Group chief executive, said: “There’s no doubt we’re still in challenging times and local groups that are so often run by volunteers have really been feeling the squeeze. But what makes communities stronger is everyone coming together and supporting these unsung heroes in their neighbourhoods.

"Our Grassroots Giving programme in 2014 should help us to discover and champion some more real gems in communities across the country, groups that make a big positive impact to the people and places they serve.

“Our final 161 community groups will be decided by the public via online voting, so please do spread the word, raise awareness and encourage people to vote for your favourite groups. The more votes they receive, the more chance they will get of winning a much needed injection of funding.”