Independent estate agent Gascoigne Halman is still accepting entries for its £25k Community Challenge.

All local charities, organisations and community help groups are invited to apply for a chance to receive a slice of the £250,000 prize fund, which has been set aside to help and support a large number of organisations, in particular smaller groups working at grass roots level.

But they have little time to waste, as the closing date for entries is this Friday, July 17.

Gascoigne Halman is celebrating its 25-year milestone, which prompted the Community Challenge as a way of rewarding the organisations that give something back to the community they serve and which have a positive impact on the lives of local people.

Shortlisted applicants, announced in September, will be invited to make a short presentation to the judging panel in November, prior to the successful applicants being announced later that month.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs MBE, will chair the judging panel, which includes John Halman, managing director of Gascoigne Halman; Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain cyclist and former international swimmer with 26 world championship titles and 11 Paralympic gold medals to her name; and breakfast TV presenter Louise Minchin.

John Halman said: “We are really excited about hearing from many local groups.

“We have put together a judging panel of prominent local people who will work with us to make decisions about who is shortlisted and where the money eventually goes.

“I would urge local groups, no matter how large or small, to get in touch.”

For more information, or for an application form, go online at www.gascoignehalman.co.uk.