Gascoigne Halman has received an overwhelming response to its £25,000 Community Challenge, which will see the estate agent supporting local community organisations.

Entries for the challenge, which opened in February this year, closed on July 17.

The fund was set up to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary this year.

Since launching the Community Challenge, Gascoigne Halman has been urging local charities, organisations and community help groups to apply for a slice of the fund.

In total, it received a whopping 188 entries across the company’s 18 offices in south Manchester, north Cheshire and High Peak.

The £25,000 fund is to be shared out among organisations, charities and groups doing good work in their local community.

Gascoigne Halman has assembled a stellar judging panel, who will convene over the summer before announcing their shortlist in September.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to make a short presentation to the judging panel in November, prior to the final successful applicants being announced later that month.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs MBE, will chair the judging panel, which includes John Halman, managing director of Gascoigne Halman; Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain cyclist and former international swimmer with 26 world championship titles and 11 Paralympic gold medals to her name; and breakfast TV presenter Louise Minchin.

John Halman said: “We are delighted to have received so many entries.

“It is heart-warming to read about the fantastic work being done, and planned for the future, by so many local organisations.

“Along with my fellow judges, I am really looking forward to September’s judging day.”