An award-winning Gloucestershire blogger has joined forces with a local hospice charity to stage the first ever awards celebrating all things family in the county.

The Gloucestershire Family Awards, sponsored by Rendcomb College and created by UK Blog Award parenting category winner and Gloucestershire Digital Woman of the Year, CheltenhamMaman, will celebrate the best businesses and individuals who help improve the lives of families living locally.

Not only will the awards recognise those who make a real difference for families, the awards will help make a difference for families at a time they need support most, by raising vital funds for the only inpatient hospice in the county, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court.

Categories include:

Most Family Friendly Employer sponsored by Spirax Sarco

Most Family Friendly Independent Retailer

Most Family Friendly Independent Eatery sponsored by Alanbrookes Accountants

Best Pregnancy Support Service

Best Baby or Toddler Class

Best Mum Recovery Service sponsored by Fiona Preece Public Relations

Most Family Focused Community Champion sponsored by Cheltenham Ladies College

Family Fairy Godmother/ Father Award sponsored by Rendcomb College

The awards have received a total of 60 nominations, ranging from Simpsons Fish and Chips and TSB to Gloucester Services, Huffkins, Roots Café, NCT Cheltenham, Stroud Maternity Unit, Boogie Beat, Babel Babies, health visitors, midwives and more.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 17th November at Stonehouse Court Hotel, with all profits from the evening donated to Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, which provides inpatient, day services and hospice at home care for people living with a life limiting condition in Gloucestershire.

Kate Starkey, aka CheltenhamMaman said: "When the incredible team at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court invited me to head up a fundraiser I knew immediately what event would make a huge difference to my network of family orientated businesses and parents in our county. I'm thrilled that on the first day of public voting more than 1,500 mums and dads placed their vote and I can't wait for the big night itself."

Beth Davis, community fundraising officer at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice said, "We are absolutely thrilled to be involved with the first ever Gloucestershire Family Awards. Here at Sue Ryder we are all about helping local people and families live the fullest life possible. It's really fitting to be part of an event which celebrates individuals, groups and businesses who do this too, whilst raising funds so we can continue to be there for families who need us."

To view a full list of nominees and to cast your vote visit http://cheltenhammaman.co.uk/gloucestershire-family-awards-let-the-public-voting-commence/