Helping key community groups remains at the heart of the Birthday Presents campaign and three fitting causes are added to the shortlist.

The project celebrates our 35 years of publishing in the area, but rather than receiving gifts, the Times will provide 35 worthy organisations with one instead.

Children’s charities, emergency teams and health support groups have all made the shortlist so far.

Nailsea Junior Cricket Club is the latest lucky beneficiary to be added to the scheme.

Chris Kivell was one Times reader to put the club forward and said: “Based at Grove Sports Centre, we have a thriving youth section.

“We are looking to obtain funding to purchase new training equipment to ensure training remains fun and something to look forward to, and not a chore.”

North Somerset Mencap had a flurry of nominations this week and makes the shortlist.

Jenny Tolhurst was among those to ask for it to make the list and said: “It is a fantastic organisation which caters for people with learning disabilities from mild to severe. Activities are provided for our young people who enjoy themselves thus leading to more fulfilling lives. They are a pleasure to work with and great to see them gain confidence.”

Backwell and Nailsea Macular Support Group is the third cause this week to make the shortlist.

Sheila Round, from Backwell, said it promotes awareness of the eye condition and also supports sufferers following a diagnosis.

Fundraising has already begun to make sure the Birthday Presents campaign donates as much for these causes as possible.

Businesses are being asked to sponsor various causes but the Times will be running a number of fundraisers in the coming weeks and months to make sure our 35th birthday year is one to remember.

With 15 spaces still up for grabs, Times readers decide who takes the remaining spots. The first 20 causes have been selected by the large number of nominations we have received, but an online vote will decide the other shortlisted causes.

It means groups, which may not be as well-known but are just as important, can have a chance to make the final list. It is not too late to nominate a cause to appear on the online vote. Simply email nstimes@archant.co.uk or write to us at North Somerset Times, 32 Waterloo Street, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 1LW.

The Times will publish a list of causes which you can vote for online before the poll goes live.