A house builder has donated £20,000 for a new initiative which sees school children nominating their favourite charities.

Ian Vincent, co-director of Vincent Homes, founded MTG Youth for Charity to raise awareness about the work charities do and how they can be better supported.

The initiative, which was launched on June 14, asks participating school teams to research their chosen charity, provide full and detailed reasons for why they should be helped and what they would do with the money if they won.

Following presentations by the shortlisted school teams, winners will be announced and awards made at the beginning of December 2011.

Derek Austin from sponsors Mackrell Turner Garrett said: “This is a fantastic opportunity not only to highlight the good work of charities across Surrey and beyond, but to challenge students and the wider community to consider what they themselves can do to make a real difference to the world around them.”

All schools can register by July 4 by visiting youthforcharity.blogspot.com or contacting Derek Austin at Mackrell Turner Garrett on derek.austin@mtg.uk.net or call 01483 755609.