The latest batch of finalists in the No Child Left Behind awards, in association with Punchline-gloucester.com, have been announced.

The awards celebrate the projects, groups, services, events, activities and organisations that have supported families in Cheltenham over the past year.

The finalists in the Strong Families category, sponsored by The Mayflower Restaurant are:

• CCP Charity

• Move More

• The Cornerstone Centre

Chun Kong, founder of The Mayflower Restaurant in Cheltenham said: "This is a very meaningful category for us and one that we are very proud to sponsor as it totally relates to The Mayflower Restaurant being a family business since 1982 (40 years trading in 2022 - the longest continuous trading restaurant in Cheltenham, maybe in Gloucestershire too!)

"I run The Mayflower with my siblings, Kai (Sister) & Chris (Brother) and just like any family business or partnership business, we have our disagreements & sometimes heated but never a full blown row!

"With our disagreements, we would go away and digest each other comments & opinions and try to see things from their point of view and in that way, we're able to extend the patience that we would do with our friends!

"Without our Family bond, The Mayflower Restaurant would not still be here today and I'm proud to say, our Business have grown since the pandemic started! We're also very proud how we have played our part in the Community that we live in, we always try to give something back to as Cheltenham, Gloucestershire is our home!"

The finalists in the Celebrating Childhood category, sponsored by Evans Jones, which is also sponsoring the Our Town category (announced yesterday), are:

• Gloucestershire Libraries

• Play Gloucestershire - Stepping Out

• Play Gloucestershire - Play to Recover

The finalists in the Ambitious Careers category, sponsored by Renishaw plc are:

• Every Cloud play therapy

• The Rock

• Cheltenham Festivals - FameLab Academy

Chris Pockett, head of communications at Renishaw, said: "Renishaw employs 2,500 people in Gloucestershire and we work hard to support our local communities, including a significant commitment to school outreach programmes that support students of all abilities to help them realise their potential. We are therefore very pleased to support the #AmbitiousCareers award, which recognises work that inspires children to aim high and achieve their potential."

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at Cheltenham Town Hall on January 13. The prestigious venue is being provided by venue sponsor, Cheltenham Trust, with activities and games on the night provided by sponsor, All About Fun. 

All shortlisted nominations will be announced over the next few days on Twitter, Facebook and Punchline-Gloucester.com.