A Shipley project has won a £25,000 award recognising its work in improving health in some of the country’s most deprived communities.

The Hale project, set up to tackle health issues such as obesity and sexual health, is one of ten groups nationally to be recognised by a leading health charity and pharmaceutical company.

Representatives from the charity will be at a major awards ceremony organised by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and health charity The Kings Fund, at the Science Museum in London on Thursday.

Natasha Thomas, project manager at Hale, said: “We are delighted that we are one of the top ten in the country and have been awarded £25,000.

“It’s wonderful to gain recognition from such prestigious organisations as The King’s Fund and GSK, and has undoubtedly reinforced the motivation within the team.

“We intend to use this opportunity to enhance our work around young people, sexual health and alcohol misuse.”

As well as receiving £25,000, the ten winners of the Impact awards will attend a five-day training course hosted by The King’s Fund which provides training for voluntary sector organisations working in healthcare.

The overall winner – which will be announced at tomorrow’s ceremony – will receive an additional £10,000.

Another five highly-commended organisations will each receive £5,000, with four runners-up also receiving £3,000.

GSK chairman Sir Christopher Gent said: “The contribution of the voluntary sector cannot be over-estimated in addressing the challenging health and social issues we face across the UK.

“Charitable organisations need resources, money and recognition to deliver outstanding support for people living in the communities they serve.

“The Impact awards are a very important source of all three and for GSK remain an integral part of our work with communities on health and education.”

Sir Cyril Chantler, chairman of the King’s Fund and one of the judges for the awards, said: “We are delighted to work with GSK to support the vital contribution the voluntary sector makes to improving health care.”

Hale was founded in 2003 and serves deprived areas in Shipley, Bingley, Baildon, Windhill and Wrose and Wharfedale.