Almost 40 groups have applied for a share of the £10,000 up for grabs in the annual Vernon Building Society Community Awards with around three weeks left to apply.

Since they were launched in 2012, £70,000 has been shared by groups in Stockport including, last year, Stockport County Community Foundation, Beechwood Cancer Care Centre and Millie’s Trust.

Once applications have closed on August 17, the 14 finalists on the shortlist will be awarded a minimum of £250 up to a maximum of £1,500.

Ian Keeling, the Vernon’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said: “It’s incredible to see the effect the funding had and continues to have on all of our 2018 finalists.”

Organisations can apply online via the Vernon Building Society website at or by filling out a paper application in one of their six local branches.

Organisations must be based in, or benefit, the postcode areas SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4, SK5, SK6, SK7, SK8 or SK12.