Our charity of the year has been announced as Kent Kids Miles of Smiles based in Stodmarsh Road, Canterbury.

It was chosen by a panel of judges after readers and listeners were invited to nominate their favourite cause.

Entries flooded into the newsroom making the selection task tremendously difficult.

Chairman of the judges, editor Leo Whitlock, said: “As the postman arrived each day and we delved into our email inboxes, our task got harder and harder.

“Our readers and listeners told us about scores of truly inspirational people doing selfless and wonderful things.

“We felt that Kent Kids Miles of Smiles was a worthy winner and deserved wholehearted backing.”

As charity of the year, Kent Kids Miles of Smiles will benefit from a whole host of Gazette and kmfm-backed events ranging from the adrenalin fuelled to the more cerebral Big Quiz later this year.

Kent Miles of Smiles was founded in 1993 and is a care home for sick and disabled children and young people aged between three and 30.

Head of fund-raising Lizzie Baxter said: “We believe that the children and young people are people first and have the right to privacy, choice, dignity and self respect, as well as the right to be consulted, informed and make choices about their own lifestyles.

“We provide a safe, loving and caring homely environment in which a person can grow and develop to reach their potential as an individual and at the same time enjoy life to the fullest possible extent.”