The Messenger’s Charity of the Year is among a number of groups awarded thousands of pounds by a foundation supporting organisations across the county.

Kent Community Foundation (KCF) has announced £14,000 of grants to Gravesend organisations in the latest round of charity funding.

The grants include £4,500 to Waterside Parents’ Centre; £2,000 to Word on the Street, a community house providing a safe place and activities for young people; and £7,500 to Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Services, the Messenger’s Charity of the Year.

KCF chief executive Josephine McCartney: “We are delighted to announce the latest projects to have been successful in their application to receive funding from us.

“Every year, we support hundreds of local charities and worthwhile causes. We look to support projects which meet our priority themes, and especially try and help smaller organisations.

“For many of these organisations, a small amount of funding can go a very long way.”

For more information, visit www.kentcf.org.uk.

The Messenger’s Charity of the Year for 2016, the Parents Consortium, is up for a county-wide award.

The charity, which provides vital support services to disabled children and their families, is a finalist in the Kent Charity Awards on Thursday, March 16.

The awards aim to showcase the hard work and perseverance shown by charities and voluntary groups across the county.

Parents Consortium operations director Katrina Adams said: “We are so proud to have got this far. Our charity work means such a great deal to the families of disabled children.”

The Hextable-based charity helps youngsters with learning difficulties, complex health needs, autism, and physical or sensory impairment in Dartford, Gravesham, and Swanley.

This year it needs to raise £1.4 million to continue offering its services to those that need them.

Find out how you can support the cause at parentsconsortium.org.uk