A CHURCH in Bangor is in the running to be crowned the national winner of Ecclesiastical Insurance’s ‘Good News’ competition, with a £6,000 prize up for grabs.

‘Good News’ launched last year to shine a light on the vital work Anglican Churches do by sharing their positive stories and showing all the ways that people in their area have pulled together to make a difference.

Holy Trinity Church was crowned Wales’ regional winner in November after almost 200 entries were submitted from across the UK, covering stories about home delivery services for people self-isolating, community cafés and virtual events.

Holy Trinity was one of five regional winners across the UK, receiving £1,500 towards its work.

It now stands a chance of winning the grand prize of £6,000 - bringing its total winnings to £7,500.

The public can now vote for its favourite before a panel of Ecclesiastical Insurance and church representatives select an overall winner.

Helen Richards, church director at Ecclesiastical, said: “Despite the challenges that the pandemic has brought with it, churches have remained a beacon of hope to the communities they are based in.

“The response to the competition was fantastic and we received lots of incredible entries showing how churches pulled together with their local communities during what has been an incredibly difficult time for so many of us.

“The five regional winners really stood out to the judges and we’re now urging the public to show their support for their local church to be crowned as national winner.”

Voting for the national winner opened on Wednesday, January 5 and closes on Monday, February 28.

To vote for your favourite church, go to: www.ecclesiastical.com/churchcomp and cast your vote.