The deadline has passed and more than 300 applications have been received for KM Charity of the Year 2019.

And now it’s over to the KM Group news editors who each have the difficult task ahead of deciding which worthy cause to back throughout 2019.

Applications were made by local and national charities - including former KM Charities of the Year hoping for another bite of the apple - doing an array of good work for Kent communities.

One cause will be selected for each of the following newspapers: Kentish Express, Kentish Gazette, Dartford/Gravesend Messenger, East Kent Mercury, Kent Messenger, Medway Messenger, Sheerness Times Guardian, Sittingbourne News Extra, and Thanet Extra.

Editors from KentOnline, kmfm radio, and KMTV will also be carefully reading applications over the coming weeks to choose a charity to endorse and promote next year.

Each KM Charity of the Year will have the opportunity to get involved with KM Charity Team fundraising events staged throughout the year – these include abseils, firewalks, an assault course, a bike ride, a colour run, a charity walk, and a dragon boat race.

Winning causes in areas where there is a KM Big Charity Quiz will also receive a share of the money raised at their heat.

Organisers of KM Charity of the Year 2019 anticipate that chosen charities will be announced on this website in mid-November.

Click HERE to see the list of charities and good causes in the running for KM Charity of the Year status for each district in the county.