IT is your chance to claim your share of £10,000.

The Daily Echo and Combined Insurance joined forces to launch the Make it Happen awards yesterday, and today you have the opportunity to improve the life of your community.

The awards are open to all Daily Echo readers and a team of judges will allocate shares of the cash during the coming months.

You do not have to belong to a registered charity. Any worthy individual, group or organisation will be considered.

Perhaps you need some extra cash to help complete a community project or maybe your favourite club or society could do with a financial boost.

We have teamed up with Kingston-upon-Thames based company Combined Insurance to give you this fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to your community.

Clive Robinson, managing director of Combined Insurance, summed up the scheme when he said: "The campaign allows us to demonstrate our belief that if you give people an opportunity, no matter how small, it can really make a difference."

Whatever your idea, let us know. Just fill in the form printed in today's paper along with the reasons why your idea deserves a share of the money - in no more than 50 words.

MAKE IT HAPPEN: WRITE AND TELL US WHY YOU NEED THE MONEY. SEE PAGE 14 OF TODAY'S DAILY ECHO.