Finalists of the seventh annual Kent Charity Awards have been announced.

The event, which was established in 2015, celebrates the work of small and large charities across the county.

This year judges chose between 73 charities and 47 trustees and volunteers, in what they claim is the "toughest field of entries" to date.

Finalists include Gillingham Street Angels for the Best Use of Volunteers, Demelza House Children's Hospice and ellenor Hospice for the Large Charity of the Year, and Catching Lives and Kent Search and Rescue for Community Charity of the Year.

The Heart of Kent Hospice will receive the Special Recognition Award for its work with the Elmer's Big Heart of Kent Parade last year.

The event saw 82 unique statues of the popular children's character placed across Maidstone in a trail, 51 of these statues were then sold in an auction which raised more than £300k for the charity.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Margaret Todd MBE of The Lord Whisky Sanctuary Fund, which cares for any animals who are homeless, or have been injured or abused. The charity also provides people on low incomes with vital veterinary care.

Founders and organisers Sarah MacDonald and Josie Hage, from Rise Communications, said: "When we set up the Kent Charity Awards it was with the aim of recognising the hard work and commitment of so many amazing charities and the people who make them what they are, and we couldn’t be prouder of every single charity that entered.

"You are all stars in our eyes, and for those who haven’t been named as finalists, please do enter again next year and keep on doing what you are doing….making the lives of others better.”

Chairman of Judges Susan Robinson, from Kreston Reeves, said: "We are humbled and inspired by the work of all the entries and once again both shortlisting and selecting final winners was tough.

"We would like to thank all the charities that entered this year and although we were only able to shortlist a few, you are all winners in what you have achieved.

"However, well done to all our finalists, your success is well deserved."

The awards ceremony will take place on September 8 in the Pilkington Building on the University of Greenwich Medway Campus.

THE 2022 FINALISTS ARE...

Start Up Charity of the Year: East Kent Baby Memorial Gardens, Baby Umbrella, Wishing Hearts.

Animal and Environment Charity of the Year: Brogdale Collections, Lord Whisky Sanctuary Fund, Computers for Charity, Wildwood Trust.

Best Use of Volunteers Charity of the Year: Gillingham Street Angels, Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services (DAVSS), Rainbow Centre.

Large Charity of the Year: RBLI, CXK, Demelza House Children’s Hospice, ellenor Hospice.

Children’s Charity of the Year: 21 together, Slide Away, Curly’s Legacy, Embracing Arts.

Community Charity of the Year: Halpern Charitable Foundation, Catching Lives, Kent Search and Rescue, Oasis Domestic Abuse Service.

Disability and Mental Health Charity of the Year: The Fifth Trust, Spadework, Maidstone Mencap Charitable Trust.

Care Charity of the Year: Romney Marsh Community Hub, Kenward Trust, Carers First, Heart of Kent Hospice.

Special Recognition Award: Heart of Kent Hospice - for their work with the Elmer project.

Live Time Achievement Award: Margaret Todd, Lord Whisky Sanctuary Fund.

Trustee of the Year: Eppa Hummerstone (Bridge Village Playgroup), Angela Painter (Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services (DAVSS), Jill Sargent (Dover Smart Project), Alison Culverville (Bright Shadow).

Volunteer of the Year: Audrey Batchelor (Friends of Holcot), Melanie Woodgate (Hearing Dogs for the Deaf), Omolola Oyewusi (Magdalene Ministry).

The Kent Charity Awards are sponsored by the KM Media Group, Kreston Reeves, Kent County Council, Medway Council, CC Works, Kent Community Foundation, CAF Bank, Brachers, Financial Advice & Services, AMEY and A Plan Insurance.