The closing date for nominations for this year's Kent Charity Awards (KCA) is fast approaching.

Residents have until midnight next Monday (April 12) to nominate a volunteer or trustee who is associated with a Kent-based organisation.

The awards are free to enter with charities large and small invited to submit an entry.

In a year of local heroes and charities going the extra mile, the awards showcase the hard work and perseverance that these groups and individuals undertake to make the lives of others better.

Award categories include: Children's Charity of the Year; Disability and Mental Health Charity of the Year; Animal, Environment and Wildlife Charity of the Year; Care Charity of the Year and Community Charity or Community Project of the Year.

Nominations are also sought for the Start Up Charity of the Year; Large Charity of the Year; Best Use of Volunteers Charity of the Year and the Best use of Social Media Campaigns or Best Use of Technology Charity of the Year categories.

Also on offer are the Volunteer and Trustee of the Year awards – which are a great way of rewarding someone who goes that extra mile.

An awards ceremony will be held later in the summer at a venue to be confirmed.

Folkestone Youth Project, Our Moon, ellenor, The Hygiene Bank, Nourish Community Foodbank, Wildwood Trust and St George's Childcare in Tunbridge Wells are among the nominations already received.

Pauline Tester from ellenor, Heather Planner from Age UK Faversham and Sittingbourne, Elaine Barnett from Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services, Emma Scott from Relate Kent are all up for Volunteer of the Year.

Judi Bolton and Nicola Sykes, who are both members of the Ramsgate Ladies' Darts League and have raised more than £36,000 for the East Kent Unit for Breast Screening, also received nominations for the honour.

The awards are sponsored by: The KM Media Group, Kreston Reeves, Brachers, Diggerland, Kent Community Foundation, amey, CC Works, CAF Bank, Kent County Council, Medway Council and Financial Advice & Services.

To nominate someone for an award visit the KCA website.

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