The KM Charity Team is urging individuals with a passion for child welfare and experience of working in the voluntary sector to submit applications to be its next chief executive.

The educational charity is seeking a new CEO to replace founder Simon Dolby, who is stepping down after nearly 20 years in charge.

Set up by Mr Dolby in 2000, the KM Charity Team delivers a range of initiatives supporting schools and charities across London, the south-east and East Anglia. The charity operates as Inspire Schools outside Kent.

Its core projects are reading reward scheme Buster’s Book Club and green-travel initiative Active Wow. Together, more than 60,000 children at 200 schools participate in the schemes.

The KM Charity Team also stages Teacher of the Year Awards for Kent, Sussex and London, and is responsible for a series of challenge events that raise more than £100,000 each year for good causes. These events include abseils, a dragon boat race, a bike ride, a colour run and quizzes.

KM Charity Team chair of trustees Stuart Smith said: “While it is extremely sad to have to say goodbye to Simon, this is a fantastic opportunity for somebody keen to use their voluntary or educational sector experience to shape the life expectations of young people across the region.

“In almost 20 years of tireless and inspirational service, Simon has developed the KM Charity Team from a small walking-bus group in east Kent into the pillar of the county’s voluntary sector that Inspire Schools Educational Foundation now is.

“In addition to supporting the education of many thousands of young people, we help to generate skills, revenue and support for good causes across the region through our challenge events, training courses and awards initiatives such as the KM Charity of the Year scheme, the Kent Volunteering Awards and the KM Charity Team Forum.

“Simon’s set to leave the charity in an extremely healthy place, which is bound to make the prospect of taking over from him even more attractive to potential successors.”

Mr Dolby will continue to provide advice and support to the KM Charity Team after his departure.

He said: “This is a fantastic and unique organisation to lead, and I look forward to advising its trustees when it comes to selecting my replacement.

“I would urge people to submit applications by the deadline of Thursday, September 12, and wish everybody who does so the very best of luck.”

To find out more about the job and the application process, visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/about/vacancies/.