The Elf Service, our Christmas campaign, has been shortlisted for a national award and needs your votes to win. Vote here.

We asked readers to nominate people for whom a random act of kindness would make the world of difference.

We were sent some heartbreaking stories and set out to make as many wishes come true as we could.

The team was overjoyed when cricket legend Kevin Pietersen agreed to surprise 11-year-old Ryan Belsey whose dad Stephen suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage at the city’s Marlowe Theatre.

Ryan was at school when the former England star walked into the classroom.

You can see his reaction here. We challenge you not to cry.

Canterbury's Fenwicks store donated £500 in toys to Ryan's sister Sadie, six, and gave mum Rebecca a makeover.

Ryan also got to train with the Kent County Cricket Club first team.

The Elf Service helped the Spring Lane Neightbourhood Centre in Sussex Avenue with their Christmas party.

They organised kmfm presenter Ben Pearce to DJ at the party using the equipment and set up by Gazette media sales executive Tom Smith who runs a mobile disco through his company MDS Group. Read the story here.

With the help of the Marlowe Theatre, the Elf Service helped treat a mum who dedicated herself to others.

Lorayne Ford of Talmead Road, Herne Bay, was given a set of family tickets to Aladdin and the chance to meet EastEnders and The Bill star Scott Maslen. See the story here.

Our campaign has been shortlisted for an award for as part of Local Newspaper Week's Making A Difference campaign highlighting the power of local newspapers to campaign for positive change in the communities they serve.

To vote for the Elf Service, click here.