The News Extra’s outgoing charity of the year has said ‘thank you’ for the support it has received throughout 2014.

The Harmony Therapy Trust provides free treatments for people with serious illnesses.

Its life president and trustee, Dawn Cockburn, says the organisation’s profile has never been higher.

She said: “As founder it seems appropriate on behalf of all the people of Kent who we have been able to help during their journey with serious life-altering illness, to thank the News Extra for our amazing year.

“Being your chosen charity raised our profile and our funds in a way we could not have dreamed of.

“It has been an amazing year for us and in the words of our founding financial trustee, Rita Couzins, 2014 has been the most successful since the trust was founded in May 2010.

“Receiving the recognition and support as the chosen charity has no doubt been a considerable reason for our income exceeding £25,000 – twice that of the previous year.

“More than 300 people have benefitted from therapy since the start of the trust, with 100-plus currently receiving complementary therapy such as reflexology.”

Administration trustee Julie Murby said: “It has been truly wonderful to have the privilege to work with, and meet so many wonderful people in 2014, and to be a part of the trust’s growth - please support us to make 2015 a more amazing year and help Harmony’s hands reach out to more people and help them into wellness and wellbeing.”

Mrs Cockburn added: “We would like to wish the charity for 2015 – Swale Action To End Domestic Abuse – a wonderful year of fundraising and profile raising.”