Entries have opened for this year’s Third Sector Awards, which recognise the exceptional achievements of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.
There are 26 categories this year, including Charity of the Year, Breakthrough of the Year and the Big Impact Award, which will go to a project that has had a substantial impact on national or international life.
There are new awards for Rising Star, which honours emerging new talents, and Unsung Hero, which celebrates individuals who make a difference to the lives of others but are not always recognised.
At last year’s awards, the sexual offender rehabilitation charity the Safer Living Foundation was named Charity of the Year and Stephen Hale of Refugee Action was named Charity Chief Executive of the year.
The cost to enter starts at £70 plus VAT for the smallest charities for entries made before the early-bird deadline of 14 May, with an additional fee of £70 plus VAT per entry charged on entries made until the final deadline of 4 June.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in central London on the evening of 7 October.
The specialist insurance firm Markel is the headline sponsor.