THIS year’s Airbus/Leader Community Awards have received a whole host of entries from good causes hoping to be in the running for a share of £20,000.

Those entries have now been shortlisted down to 10.

Each group will be featured over the next two weeks, with a voting form set to appear in the paper and online after each entry has been featured.

So make sure the group/organisation you think is the most deserving of the large cash prizes up for grabs gets your vote....

Blacon High School - shortlisted for an Airbus and Leader Community Award - is hoping to be the first secondary school in the city with a therapy dog.

Therapy dogs have become common place in a number of schools across the country, helping children through any anxieties or other difficulties that they may face.

It is now one of 10 projects across the region that have been shortlisted for the awards - the top prize for which is £7,000.

Headteacher Rachel Hudson spoke of her delight after finding out the news that the school was successful in its bid.

She said: "I do believe our project is innovative as, to my knowledge, no other high school in Chester uses a therapy dog."

Mrs Hudson explained how these animals provide a sense of unconditional love that benefits pupils and allows them to learn about building trusting relationships, which leads into their experiences whilst in the education system.

It is hoped the funding would benefit the school by helping to purchase an appropriate dog, as well as training, vet bills, insurance and other essential pet care items.

She said: "We are building on the positive work of our local partner schools and are keen to support the most vulnerable learners in our community and support the transition from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3.

"Longer term, we hope the dog will help to teach children about empathy and appropriate interpersonal skills that will help them become more in their overall education."

The headteacher explains that the school dog would be helpful in implementing new learning strategies such as lead to read, time to talk nurture interventions and motor skills through play.