Fifty charities across Kent and Medway have been revealed as recipients of a brand new badge of honour at an awards ceremony staged by the KM Charity Team.

The select group of good causes were inaugural recipients of the KM Charity Mark award in recognition of their work in the community. The accolade was presented at the KM Charity Team Forum at Kent Scouts HQ, Lower Grange Farm in Maidstone.

Charities in attendance to collect their awards were Beanstalk, Ronald McDonald House Charity, Age UK Thanet, East Kent Mencap, Canterbury Food Bank, Kent MS Therapy Centre, Pilgrims Hospice, SNAAP, Demelza, Friends of Five Acre Wood, Heart of Kent Hospice, Rubicon Cares, Stroke Association, Young Kent, Guide Dogs Ashford, Holding On Letting Go, MAGIC, Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust, SATEDA, Harmony Therapy Trust and Stacey Mowle Appeal.

The forum brought together causes from across the county for targeted workshops on topics including fundraising, grant applications, insurance, accountancy and KM Charity of the Year. Sessions were hosted by expert speakers from MHA MacIntyre Hudson, Jelf Insurance and Funding for All.

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team said: “A new feature added to the forum is presentation of the KM Charity Mark. We’ve selected what we believe are 50 of the very best charities in the county of Kent to receive a special honour.”

Delegates also included school staff, governors and PTA members for a KM Walk to School masterclass as well as guidance on initiatives involving green travel, road safety, pupil voice and literacy.

Visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk to find out more or click here to make an application for KM Charity of the Year 2016.