All five charities shortlisted in the Let's Do It Awards were given a suprise bonus by Barclays Bank when the winners were announced last week.

While only three expected to win cash prizes, none of them left empty-handed with the runners up winning grants and offers of volunteer help from Barclays staff.

Ealing Soup Kitchen was the overall winner, scooping a cheque for £1,000; Sir Oswold Stoll Foundation and Alzheimer's Concern Ealing were each given a £500 cheque. Homestart Ealing and the Log Cabin were each given a £500 grant to fund a specific project, with bank staff giving their time to get it off the ground.

Let's Do It Community Awards 2008 was launched by Barclays Bank with the Ealing Gazette in the the summer, when readers were asked to nominate deserving charities.

The prizes were presented at a special awards ceremony at Barclays Bank, Ealing Broadway on Monday by area manager Dhiren Patel. He said: "The judges were so overwhelmed by the standards we decided to give extra prizes."

Branch manager Harjit Bagga said: "It's about identifying charities which are doing fantastic work. We feel it's really important to recognise their work as well as making sure our staff are participating in charitable work."

Ealing mayor Cllr Ian Green congratulated all the charities for doing a "wonderful job" within the community. He added: "Without voluntary services that do so much to unite people and provide valuable services, our community would be far less tangible and real."

Ealing Gazette editor Shujaul Azam said: "I am delighted that our partner-ship with Barclays Bank has proved so successful and that local charities are justly recognised and rewarded for the amazing work they do."

The charities were stunned to discover they had all won something. Daphne Edwards, who nominated Ealing Soup Kitchen, where she works, said: "I am delighted to have won the overall prize. I didn't think we would get a look in.

"This money will go towards materials and equipment."

Maureen Smith, a driver with Alzheimer's Concern Ealing, said: "I'm so pleased we won. We've just opened a centre in Hanwell for younger people with Alzheimer's."

Anna Lancaster, who nominated the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation, said the money would provide special computer aids for people with disabilities

Vivien Dymock, fundraising manager for the Log Cabin, said the concern could build a specialist 'bed swing' with Barclays staff help and the grant.

Louise Chamberlain, of Homestart Ealing, said: "We're delighted."