A YORK-based disabled children's charity has been shortlisted for a prestigious award after raising £2.9 million through its unique business model.

Huntington's Family Fund has been put forward for the Grantmaking and Funding category of the Civil Society Media charity awards in recognition of its successful set-up of trading subsiduary Family Fund Business Services (FFBS) and the funding that has generated.

Family Fund is the UK's largest charity providing grants for families on low incomes raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.

It provides essential grant support for a wide range of items, such as kitchen appliances, beds, family breaks, clothing, computers and sensory toys, to help break down some of the barriers these families face.

The inception and launch of the wholly-owned trading subsidiary has helped to increase and diversify Family Fund's income by gifting almost £2.9 million of unrestricted income.

FFBS's unique model has helped extend its grant fulfilment service to benefit other charities, local authorities and housing providers.

Set up in 2012, it delivers a leading business-to-business fulfilment service, helping customers to reach their beneficiaries quickly and effectively with grant awarded goods and services.

It has helped around 180,000 beneficiaries and their families access more than 500,000 grant items and services and has returned over £1 million to their customers through product rebates.

Chief Executive Cheryl Ward said: "We are delighted to be shortlisted. Over the past four years, our trading subsidiary, FFBS, has worked in partnership with over 40 organisations to provide support to their beneficiaries and deliver social value.

"This nomination recognises the dedication we have as a group to using our 45 years of charity experience in providing grants and services to improve and increase support to some of the most vulnerable people in society."

Also on the shortlist are Islington Giving and Trust for London, independent groups tackling poverty in the capital.

An independent judging panel of 11 whittled down the entries and will select a winner in each of the ten categories.

The winners will be announced at a reception at the Pavilion, within the grounds of the Tower of London on Thursday, June 7.