A charity that looks after young people with profound disabilities is appealing for nominations to win £1,000 to pay for critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Martha Trust, based at Hacklinge between Deal and Sandwich, has entered specialist insurer Ecclesiastical's Movement for Good awards and has just today and tomorrow to garner support.

It is quick and easy to nominate the charity online. Nominations close on Sunday and you can vote for Martha online by clicking this link.

Winners will be drawn at random and the more times Martha is nominated the more chance it has of being selected.

The prize, if won, will be used to buy PPE to ensure the ongoing safety of their residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Presently the complex at Homemead Lane has stayed Covid-free.

Martha, voted Charity of the Year for Kentonline's sister paper The East Kent Mercury, is encouraging everyone to use their social media channels to ask people to vote for them to give the charity the best possible chance of winning.

"With respite on hold and events at a standstill, we are trying to secure as much as we can to continue to provide excellent care..."

Fundraising & Events Officer Kerry Banks BEM said: “We have been overwhelmed with the generosity from schools and businesses in the community who have donated clear visors and other PPE however we need to be securing waterproof facemasks, disposable aprons, gloves and more so the £1000 would enable us to buy these in.

"With respite on hold and events at a standstill, we are trying to secure as much as we can to continue to provide the excellent care at Martha that we are so very proud of for our very special residents.

"We would be extremely grateful if you the public could vote for us”

Mark Hews, Group CEO of Ecclesiastical, says: “We’re delighted to announce the launch of Ecclesiastical’s Movement for Good awards for the second year running.

"The coronavirus is having a major impact on charities and many are facing financial difficulties.

"Our Movement for Good awards will continue to help charities at a time when they need it most and we know that for many charities, £1,000 can make a real difference.

“We were thrilled to receive so many nominations from the public last year and this year we are encouraging even more people to nominate a good cause. Ecclesiastical is a unique financial services group.

"We are owned by a charity which means all available profits can be given to the good causes that are so important to our customers.

"As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business.”

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