The Telegraph & Argus has teamed up with Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) to give a charity an opportunity to win £5,000. Our judges have formed a shortlist of five for T&A readers to vote for your favourite charity from the list below. The charity with the most support will receive the cash. Here Jonathan Walton runs the rule over the five contenders.

The Elizabeth Foundation for Deaf Children and their Families, which has helped nearly 100 deaf children with their listening and speaking skills in the past six years.

The charity came to Bradford at the request of the audiology team and the Yorkshire cochlear implant team based at Bradford Royal Infirmary to support newly diagnosed deaf babies.

The Smith Lane-based foundation provides a baby and pre-school programme with qualified teachers of the deaf for children aged up to five, a family support and education, a Punjabi-speaking support worker and correspondence course for parents unable to attend.

Sheltered housing residents at Bretton Court in Buttershaw, Bradford, are running a tenants' fund helping to provide a valuable social network.

"You'll have seen on television people in homes sitting in the communal area, staring at four walls. We're not like that," said secretary James Fry.

"We make sure people don't get bored and get together to enjoy themselves.

"It's just a really thriving little fund. We've got Halloween coming up which is another good one."

Bradnet, in Laisterdyke, Bradford, campaigns on issues affecting the disabled and relies on the generosity of local organisations to continue its work.

Volunteers and staff provide welfare rights advice, conflict mediation, education and employment help.

"We work with people who are most vulnerable and are often excluded from society," said Cassandra Tongue, business development manager of the charity.

The Agape Project offers male drug users, aged between 16 to 25, supported accommodation to help them become drug free.

With centres in Idle and Thackley, the project works with other organisations from the voluntary sector for residents, their families and the community.

Agape, part of the charity Gospel Vision, says it offers a non-judgmental, caring and supportive service for young drug users and their families of all cultures, religions and racial heritage.

Bradford South and West (Clayton) Live at Home Scheme provides befriending, visiting and outings, along with a telephone support service offering someone who will listen.

There are information services, lunches every Monday and quizzes, speakers, computer access and plenty of other activities.

And there is a day care service, the Thursday Club.

Club members, who are among those to nominate the charity, said: "We all look forward to Thursdays and our only complaint is that there is only one in each week!

e-mail: jonathan.walton@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

HOW TO CAST YOUR VOTE

By Phone: Simply call 0901 221 and add the last 4 digits for your chosen charity. For example, if you want to vote for The Elizabeth Foundation, you should dial 0901 221 0304. Calls cost 25p.

The numbers you need to use are as follows:

Bradnet - 0301

MHA Bradford South & West Live At Home Scheme -0302

AGAPE - 0303

The Elizabeth Foundation - 0304

Bretton Court Tenants Fund - 0305

By Text: Start the message by entering the keyword BRCASH, leave a space and then key in the four digits for your chosen charity and your name and send to 88010. Text messages cost 25p plus your mobile operator charge.

Service provided by Newsquest Media Group. The closing date for votes by telephone or text is midnight on Tuesday, October 10.