After being inundated with hundreds of votes from the public, the Ramsgate and Broadstairs Sea Cadet Unit has been chosen as the first winner of the Chandlers Building Supplies Community Fund, supported by the Thanet Extra.

More than 350 votes were cast and John Galer, Branch Director at Chandlers in Margate, presented a cheque for £1,000 to the Sea Cadets, who will be using the money to help with some much needed repairs to their unit headquarters at the Old Sailors' Church at the Royal Harbour in Ramsgate.

Chairman of the unit Jeff Kirkpatrick said: "We are absolutely delighted to receive the donation and would like to thank Chandlers for their generosity. The money will go a long way to ensuring that we can continue to offer a fantastic opportunity for local boys and girls to experience real adventure."

From now until the end of the year Chandlers will be donating £500 every month to a local charity, group or organisation. The details of three nominations will be printed in the Thanet Extra each month for the readers to decide who will receive the donation.

This month's nominations are:

Margate Ambulance Corps

Margate Ambulance Corps is a voluntary organisation that provides first aid at many local events such as Margate Football Club, the Royal British Legion Parades, the Thanet Road Runners Events and various fundraising events across East Kent.

The service is provided free of charge and they have a total 10 volunteers who help at each event. The Community Fund donation would help to keep Margate Ambulance Corps two second hand ambulances in service so that that they can continue to provide this vital service.

Crampton Tower Museum

Crampton is not only a museum providing information about its water tower, which was designed by local engineer, Thomas Crampton, but is becoming a local heritage centre containing many artefacts relating to the history of Broadstairs. Local schools often visit Crampton Tower Museum for presentations on local history.

Due to cost cutting the museum has recently had some funding withdrawn and the Community Fund donation would help towards the running cost to keep the museum open and help them to become self sufficient.

Star Stage School

Star Stage School opened two years ago with an ethos on performing for fun rather than exams and does not charge membership fees. In those two years the school has grown and now has around 70 members. They have put on many performances in local community centers and church halls and will soon be performing at the Winter Gardens - their biggest show to date.

To vote, email chandlersthanet@pmwcom.co.uk with the name of the project you want to win in the subject box, or call Sally Bason on 01403 783400