A DIGITAL firm from Ulverston is fighting for national acclaim as it hurtles towards the finals of a major competition. 

Beacon, a unique service that offers charities a shop window to raise money, is in the running for a major national award. 

Based in Ulverston, the project has provided support for a number of organisations across the area, including St Mary's Hospice.

Now, the Beacon Project is turning heads across the country after making the shortlist for the TalkTalk Digital Heroes Awards. 

Ian Gillett, founder of the project, is delighted by the success of the project and is hoping to reach even more people by winning the award. 

He said: "It would be amazing because of the exposure it would create for the project. 

"It's about getting awareness and making people aware of what's available for free."

Mr Gillett had been working as a software engineer for a number of years before spotting a unique niche in the market. 

Inspired to help different organisations in the area, he designed a new website to act as a marketplace for charities, schools and other groups to trade for free. 

Beacon acts as a digital shop window and works in a similar way to websites such as eBay. 

Charities can promote and sell products online for free, generating more overall profit. 

Mr Gillett said: "This is the first thing of its kind. 

"We can sell things on eBay but this is about getting the community to support charities and helping them to raise more money."

He continued: "I've been working with St Mary's Hospice because I have a quite a few connections with them already and I thought it would be a good start."

The project has also attracted the attention of a number of celebrities who are urging members of the public to show their support by voting for Beacon. 

Actor, Warwick Davis, recorded a YouTube video promoting the site and encouraging people to get behind the scheme. 

In the video he said: "It's very easy and you never know what you might find on there.

"Let's try and make as much money as we can for St Mary's Hospice by supporting Beacon."

Voting for the awards is open until September 8 and Beacon is up against five other entrants in the fundraising category. 

Mr Gillett is urging members of the public to pull together to show their support for the initiative by voting in the awards at http://digitalheroes.talktalk.co.uk/fundraising-digital-hero/. 

He said: "It would be incredible and would really help push the project forward.

"My vision is to provide every charity and school in the UK with a free marketplace to raise much needed funds; a vote for this project will help countless charities, schools and community projects."