A charity for disadvantaged children will get a windfall thanks to the KM Big Charity Quiz next month – and there is still time to book a team.

Unit 1 Skatepark in Rochester - the Medway Messenger's charity of the year - doesn’t just provide young people with a safe, warm place to socialise and get active; it helps them with often serious personal problems, including neglect and homelessness.

Kathy Holmes, manager of the charity, said: “Some of them didn’t do well at school or don’t seem able to manage school, but they love sport and excel at scooting and skating. Some are autistic or have ADHD and can manage at sport even if they can’t manage socially.”

She added: “We have to be like their parents. They need a mentor, particularly if they have had abuse from their family or been excommunicated by them.

“In the skate park, they are safe. They know we care about them and will help them, like you would help your own kids.”

Unit 1 Skatepark will take a share of the funds raised at the Big Quiz being staged on Friday, March 9 at the St George Hotel in Chatham.

Organisers the KM Charity Team, with support from Specsavers, are hoping for a record charity pot – Shepherd Neame is donating a fully stocked charity bar and all the proceeds will be matched pound for pound by Barclays bank.

Star prizes up for grabs on the night include Eurostar and DFDS Seaways vouchers and classic toys and collectables from Hornby.

Along with Unit 1 Skatepark, road safety and literacy services for children will also receive a slice of the funds - plus one charity picked out of a hat for submitting at least one quiz team for the event.

Ticket price for teams of up to eight includes a generous selection of snacks, bottle of wine and sparkling water for the table. Save £10 by using the discount code KMNEWS18 when booking at www.kmbigquiz.co.uk or CLICK HERE.