Submit a Thanet Community Awards application now and your charity could benefit from a year’s exposure courtesy of one of the district’s most successful businesses.

The awards, which are open to good causes, parent-teacher associations and individual volunteers making a difference to the community in Thanet, are run by a partnership comprising Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, offshore wind farm London Array and the KM Charity Team.

Westwood Cross, London Array and the Thanet Extra will each present a cheque to a chosen charity for £2,000, and the shopping centre will also champion its winner over a 12-month period.

Another £4,000 will be awarded to three runner-up charities and three individual volunteers.

Westwood Cross’s chosen charity will also receive funds from Wishing Wells donations made by its visitors, as well as other money collected by the shopping centre.

And the centre will meet the charity to discuss other ways it might be able to support them. Its charity partner for the past year, for example, has received much-needed supplies for homeless people dependent on its services.

Westwood Cross shopping centre manager Francesca Donovan spoke of the importance of the awards.

She said: “They are a way of recognising and rewarding organisations and individual that make a positive impact to our community.

“It doesn’t matter if you are an individual or a charity, what field your organisation works in, whether it is big or small, part of a national organisation or a neighbourhood scheme – any charity or individual helping to make Thanet an even better place can apply for these awards.”

KM Charity Team chief executive Simon Dolby said: “Westwood Cross’s award presents a fantastic opportunity for one lucky good cause or charity in Thanet.

“Not only will they gain £2,000 in much-needed finance, but they will also be able to benefit from 12 months’ support from one of the most successful retail businesses in the district.

“With all Westwood Cross’s expertise and experience, that kind of relationship could be invaluable for any charity.”

Nominations for the awards, which close at noon on November 27, can be submitted at thanetcommunityawards.co.uk. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in January.

To find out more about the awards, contact Karen Brinkman at the KM Charity Team on 0844 264 0291 or at kbrinkman@thekmgroup.co.uk.

Watch a video of Westwood Cross shopping centre manager Francesca Donovan, Thanet Extra news editor Julia Collins and London Array general manager Jonathan Duffy talking about the awards here: