Fifty of the county’s hardest working charities were presented with the KM Charity Mark at a ceremony on Monday.

The event was staged to showcase good causes in the county and also to encourage charities to apply for KM Charity of the Year.

Good causes have until noon on 21 October to get their applications in to be KM Charity of the Year and should visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk to apply.

As an additional incentive, one cause applying will receive a cheque for £2,000 from Specsavers in Kent.

Geraldine Allinson, said: “The KM Group understands how important voluntary and charitable organisations are to Kent, and the Charity of the Year initiative allows us to support the incredible work they do day after day across the diverse communities of the county.

“The good cause selected to be Charity of the Year will take their turn in the spotlight, reaching more potential supporters and gaining access to more fundraising opportunities.”

She added: “I would urge all charities in Kent and Medway to apply.”

Simon Dolby from the 200 KM Charity Team told delegates attending the KM Charity Forum at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel that good causes would have no better champion than their local KM editor, if they were selected.

And he praised the hard work of the causes receiving the KM Charity Mark for their dedication to the county.

To find out more about KM Charity of the Year visit the website.