TWO Malmesbury women have reached the finals of a national awards scheme for the second year in a row.

Alison Cross-Jones from Heals and Elaine Godley of I Am Woman, Swindon are both in the running for the Women Inspiring Women awards.

Elaine, who has been fighting breast cancer for the past five years and has undergone surgery recently, is one of 10 finalists in the overcoming adversity category. She set up a new business, HealthwatchersUK and mentors other businesswomen in the area.

Alison, who has run support group Heals for the past three years, is nominated in the Women in the Community category.

“It is mind boggling to think that people feel that you’re deserving of an accolade for two years running,” she said.. “But I couldn’t do what I do without the people behind me, supporting me. It has been a real team effort.”

Heals is also looking for new volunteers to take on its Helping Hands project and the Wills Friends scheme, which supports people with autism and learning difficulties.

Visit damselsinsuccess.co.uk/awards/ to vote by Monday when the competition closes.