A STROUD-BASED photography company has been selected to represent the area in a national competition.

Five Valleys Photography was picked by the National Portrait Awards to take part in the competition that will support three charities.

More than 65 photography studios from across the country have joined forces to support the Dogs Trust, CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and The Lullaby Trust by offering their sessions for free.

Ian Sadler from Five Valleys Photography is delighted to be supporting the charities.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to help raise the profile of these three worthwhile charities whilst also raising funds for them in a fun way”, said Ian.

Within the National Portrait Awards there are three categories, family, child, and pet, each of which have a cash prize of £1000 for the winning entrant.

The family competition will be supporting the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity which is thrilled to be receiving both donations and essential exposure of their work.

“As well as helping to raise vital funds, this event will also raise significant awareness for CRY throughout the UK, “said Dr. Steve Cox, chief executive of CRY.

“Every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people (aged 35 and under) die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.”

The children’s competition will be supporting The Lullaby Trust which promotes expert advice on safer baby sleep as well as special support for anyone bereaved through Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Finally, The Pet Portrait Awards will be supporting the Dogs Trust, which is the largest dog welfare charity in the UK, with their aim to give stray and abandoned dogs a second chance at a brighter future with responsible, caring new owners.

All entrants can send their details via the National Portrait Awards website to their closest studio, or phone Five Valleys Photography directly and they will book all entrants in, in return for a £10 donation to the charity which is being supported.

All those who enter, whether it be family, pet or child will then be able to choose one image to put forward into a national competition, in which the winner of each category will receive £1000 put together by the photographers.

To find out more details, or to book in to a studio near you please visit www.nationalportraitawards.com or phone 01453 766660.