Penryn based charity Sea Sanctuary is appealing for votes as it strives for nationwide acclaim on BBC One and a £3,000 pay-out from this year’s National Lottery Awards.

The project beat off competition from over 600 organisations to reach the public voting stage in this year’s awards, the annual search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects. It is competing against six other projects to be crowned the winner of the health category.

Winners of the seven National Lottery Awards categories will each get a £3,000 cash prize to spend on their project, a National Lottery Awards trophy and the chance to attend a star-studded awards ceremony in London, broadcast on BBC One, in September.

Sea Sanctuary offers sailing therapy for people with mental health issues, helping vulnerable people in the South West overcome their problems. National Lottery funding has already helped the charity support up to 200 clients a year, offering sailing, health education and other courses, providing a haven for troubled minds.

Chief Executive Joseph Sabien, said: “It’s absolutely amazing to reach the finals of the National Lottery Awards, and it’s humbling to have been chosen from so many great projects. Sea Sanctuary offers a fantastic service for people experiencing mental health problems, offering a real departure from over-reliance on drugs and having to receive treatment in clinical and often sterile environments.

"It’s effective, evidence-based, fun and it works. Lottery money has helped us arrange sailing activities and offer therapies at Water’s Edge, our retreat at Penryn. It’s easy to vote, so we're hoping people support us, to help us gain national recognition for this important work.”

To vote for Sea Sanctuary, go to lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards or call 0844 836 9699. Voting runs until midnight on Wednesday, July 20.