The shortlist has been revealed for the annual Kent Charity Awards.

The finalists include organisations and volunteers from across the county – all of who go that extra mile to help others.

The winners will be unveiled on Thursday, March 10, at Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone where Meridian news presenter Sangeeta Bhabra will host a gala evening.

The Charity of the Year winner will receive £3,500 towards a new bespoke website donated by the Think Agency.

The awards are sponsored by Diggerland, Furley Page, Kent County Council, Kent Reliance, KM Media Group, Kreston Reeves, Medway Council, MidKent College and Southeastern.

Finalists in the 2016 Kent Charity Award

Abigail’s Footsteps: A national charity based in Medway that is focused on stillbirth bereavement.

Action for Children Folkestone Early Years: The project works with parents, carers and children under five by offering support through play opportunities, training courses, drop-in sessions and a nursery provision.

Catching Lives: Canterbury-based charity aimed at supporting rough sleepers and the homeless.

Compaid: Helps disabled people across Kent to overcome barriers of social, digital and financial exclusion.

Happy Endings: Faversham-based animal charity which relieves suffering and distress of animals in need of help by rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing.

HOPE: Provides support to women of all ages suffering from low self-esteem, isolation and depression in Dartford.

Imago: Aims to promote, develop and facilitate social action, supporting independence and empowering community in Tunbridge Wells.

Kent Foundation: Supporting Kent’s young people to start or grow a business.

Kent MS Therapy Centre: Provides a range of non-intrusive therapies and support clinics which help those with MS, their families and their careers. It is based in Canterbury.

Medway Autism Group & Information Centre: Parent-led, self-help group for parents of children and young people with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition.

Oasis Domestic Abuse Service: A charity in Thanet which provides a range of services supporting those living with, or at risk of, domestic abuse.

Royal British Legion Industries: Aylesford-based national charity supporting the Armed Forces community and those affected by disability, health conditions or social welfare needs.

Second Chance Animal Rescue: This charity rescues and where possible re-home ill-treated and abandoned animals. Based in Crockenhill.

Strode Park Foundation: Based in Herne Bay, the foundation provides vital care and support services for children and adults with disabilities.

Swale Action to End Domestic Abuse: Sittingbourne-based charity trying to end domestic abuse.

West Kent Mid: This Sevenoaks charity gives support to people experiencing mental health problems.

Wildlife Heritage Foundation: Breeding centre based in Smarden for endangered big cats. It is also a sanctuary for older big cats that have spent life in either in a zoo or circus environment.

Young Lives Foundation: Supporting young people through times of difficulty and distress. Located in Maidstone.

Volunteer of the Year

Jonjo Heuerman

The 13-year-old from Wilmington, near Dartford dedicates his spare time to fundraising for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research. Jonjo was the youngest person to be awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2016 New Year’s Honours List.

Kate Bosley

An integral part of the volunteer department at Royal British Legion Industries, Kate, from Maidstone is described as an inspiration to everyone she meets.

Maggie Allen

For 16 years Maggie has offered professional infant massage therapy to children living with life-threatening health conditions who use the Demelza Hospice Care for Children.

Sheila Miller

The retired solicitor from Canterbury, specialised in family law and has been volunteering with Catching Lives since 2011.

Trustee of the Year

Pat Downing
West Kent Mind

Derrick Downs
Oasis Domestic Abuse Service

Clive Emson
The Young Lives Foundation

Glennis Turell
Homeless charity Catching Lives

For more details go to kentcharityawards.com