Editors across the KM Group have a rewarding but difficult decision in front of them this month – choosing their charity of the year for 2018.

Seven newspaper editors will be assiduously reading through some 234 entries between them before each selecting a good cause to support throughout the year.

The eighth newspaper – the Kent Messenger in Maidstone - is throwing it open to you, the readers, to decide which charity you think most needs its backing through a vote on Kent Online.

Applications have come in from local, national and international charities doing a whole spectrum of valuable work for those in need.

There are charities helping children, premature babies, the elderly, the homeless, addicts, ex-offenders and people with physical difficulties; health charities, animal charities, veterans’ charities and heritage groups; counselling organisations and community groups; domestic violence charities and international development charities.

How on earth does one choose? It’s very difficult, says KM Charity Team chief executive Simon Dolby.

“There are so many worthwhile causes out there and it is wonderful to be able to help some of them – but a tough choice,” he said.

“The charity needs to have a connection with the area the paper covers – so it can be a national or international charity, as long as it does work in that area. Other than that, it’s up to editors.

“But it’s not always as simple as whatever tugs at their heartstrings the most. They might want to go for a big organisation that does a vast amount to change lives in their community; or equally they might want to back a smaller, less well known cause whose work goes unsung – or which is doing something that no one else has thought of.”

Each paper works with its chosen charity to provide publicity and support throughout the year in print, on kmfm radio and on the Kent Online and KM Charity Team websites. Kent Online and KMTV will also choose either one or two charities to support between them.

The charity will have the opportunity to get involved with KM Charity Team fundraising events, including the abseils, assault course and dragon boat race, and those in the areas where there is a Big Quiz will receive a share of the money raised.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 15, except for the results of the Kent Messenger vote, which will be announced in the run-up to Christmas.

Find out more about the KM Charity Team and the support on offer to good causes - including collaborative fundraising activities and training opportunities in social media, press release writing, and press photography - by visiting the website www.kmcharityteam.co.uk