AN ORGANISATION supporting the integration and social development of people with learning disabilities has been shortlisted for a £50,000 award.

The Lisa Dixon Haswell and District Mencap Centre, in Haswell, east Durham would use the funds to support its subsidiary business, which sells furniture to a growing list of direct and trade clients.

Despite its success, attracting regular customers on a weekly basis, the building used as a showroom is beyond repair putting its future in jeopardy.

The awards, made by the Enterprising Communities programme run by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, champion the success and good work of organisations that make a positive and lasting impact in the coalfield communities.

The awards will result in just one organisation receiving £50,000, while a further four will be awarded £25,000 each.

Lisa Dixon Centre chief executive Hayley Hood said: “Over recent years we have really changed the way we work and have realised that in order to continue to deliver our services and build on our programme of activities we have to be more enterprising.

“It’s for that reason that we launched the furniture business, which has been a huge success.”

She added: “Unfortunately the damage to the building would be too expensive for us to repair and so we are proposing to use the £50,000 to invest in a purpose built structure.

“Not only would this allow us to showcase our furniture in an appropriate setting but it will mean that we can store products knowing they won’t get broken or warped by the weather. We have everything crossed that we have done enough to secure the award”

Coalfields Regeneration Trust head of operations Andy Lock said: “It is going to be really difficult to choose a winner, as every single organisation impacts so positively on the coalfield communities.”