The ScottishPower Foundation has announced the finalists for its annual charity awards. Thirteen projects from across Scotland are vying for recognition in four categories: Charity Champion, Innovation, Community Engagement, and Education.

The winners of each category will receive £10,000 to support their vital work, while the runners-up will each receive £5,000.

The categories and nominees are:

Charity Champion

Brass Bands England

Cheshire Wildlife Trust

Lancashire Women

LifeCare Edinburgh

Innovation

Brass Bands England

Hope Kitchen

Lancashire Women

People Know How

Community Engagement

Cheshire Wildlife Trust

Four Corners

Lancashire Women


LifeCare Edinburgh

Volunteering Hebrides

Education

Archaeology Scotland

Footprints Conductive Education Centre

Pan Intercultural Arts

The Rachel Kay Shuttleworth Textile Collections

Wintercomfort for the Homeless

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: "The ScottishPower Foundation is so proud to recognise this diverse group of outstanding charities for their continued hard work and dedication to the communities they serve.

"These outstanding individuals and organisations work tirelessly to provide opportunities to those in need, conserve our planet and celebrate our shared histories.

"This year's finalists are driving meaningful change, and they serve as exemplary models of the positive impact that ScottishPower Foundation funding can achieve. We look forward to bringing together our nominees for the awards ceremony in November."

The shortlist was carefully selected by a judging panel consisting of industry and media experts. We extend our thanks to them for their time and effort in recognising these outstanding projects.

This year's judges included: Sarah McNulty, People and Organisation Director, ScottishPower; Ashleigh McCulloch, Creative Director, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce; Julie Douglas, Community Editor, Edinburgh Evening News; Sarah Skerratt, Chief Executive, Royal Society of Edinburgh