A charity supporting women affected by domestic and sexual violence has been shortlisted for a National Lottery Award.

The Silver Project, run by Solace Women’s Aid, provides a safety plan and support for victims aged 55 and over, and trains professionals to spot signs of abuse in older people.

KMEWO’s Women Learning for Living Project, featured in last week’s Gazette, has also been shortlisted in a different category.

Both organisations, which are supported by Islington Council, were honoured this morning at the town hall.

The winners will be decided by public vote, which ends on Wednesday. They will get a cash boost and appear on a BBC One show.

Council leader Richard Watts said: “My warmest congratulations to these two charities for making it onto the national shortlist – they are both fantastic models of partnership working here in Islington and they make a huge difference to the lives of some of the hardest-to-reach people in our society. They both thoroughly deserve your vote.”

Mayor Kat Fletcher urged people to vote.

She said: “There are only a couple of days left to vote for these truly deserving charities, which would enable them to carry on with their vital work in our borough and across London.

“It only takes seconds to vote, and it could make all the difference to them and the thousands of people they help each year.”

To nominate the charities click here.