TEN deserving causes have already won £1,000 in the KM Group's Get Kent Giving project.

They were chosen by our judges as the local winners from more than 130 charities nominated by Kent Messenger Group readers.

Now the area winners have a chance to win the £10,000 county prize. The runner up will get £4,000.

It’s the kind of money that can make a big difference to a local charity. And you can help by filling in the voting form in KM Group paid-for papers and sending it in. You can vote as many times as you like - but only original voting forms will be accepted.

Get Kent Giving is being run by the KM Group in conjunction with CAF, the Charities Aid Foundation. The aim is to encourage people and businesses to make regular, tax efficient donations to their favourite good causes.

The CAF estimates that £700 million a year in tax relief is being lost to charity in the UK every year.

The winners will be announced in time for National Giving Week, October 17 - 23.

Finalists

* The Parents' Consortium, Dartford, provides services for disabled children and is currently raising funds to create a sensory garden.

* Volunteer Centre, Gravesham, provides services for the elderly and disabled, including transporting them to hospital.

* Aburound House Gateway Club, Gillingham, provides activities and days out for adults with learning disabilities.

*Sheppey Sea Cadets, based at Barton's Point coastal park, Sheerness, is raising funds to provide a mobile classroom for junior cadets.

* The Blackthorn Trust, Maidstone, is a therapeutic centre provides treatments and activities to people with long-term illnesses.

* Headway, at Pembury Hospital, works with people who have suffered brain injury and their families.

* Ingleden Park Carriage Driving for the Disabled at Smarden, near Ashford, has three carriages and three ponies for use by disabled people.

* Westbere Sailing Opportunities , Canterbury, gives physically and mentally handicapped people the chance to go sailing.

* Deal Pathfinders Club helps adults with mental health problems and learning disabilities, anxieties and depressions.

A website - www.nationalgivingweek.org - outlines the best ways to give to charity. Alternatively call 01732 520088.