The Extra’s Charity of the Year for 2017 is the Thanet Community Development Trust.

The organisation has been working with disadvantaged people for 16 years.

Chief executive Keith Morris said: “This will be a fantastic thing for us. There are going to be some major changes here and, being Charity of the Year, we will be able to let more people know about what we are up to.

“Through the wonderful support over the year, we hope to raise our profile to make people who may benefit from our help aware we are here and help them to come forward and get in touch.

“All of our work is people-centred. Over the 16 years we have been going we have brought over £6 million into Thanet solely to support local people in need.

“We have helped dozens of people into jobs, hundreds into training or volunteering, and we have improved the lives of thousands.”

'We have helped dozens of people into jobs, hundreds into training or volunteering, and we have improved the lives of thousands' - Chief executive, Keith Morris

The trust aims to change lives by helping disadvantaged people with exercise, arranging activities and eco projects.

In the time it has been up and running, the group has funded and organised a tree planting scheme in King George VI Park in Ramsgate.

Initially money was raised for the project from the community, enabling the Family and Community Centre in Lillian Road, Ramsgate, to open and start helping people in the area.

Run entirely by volunteers, the team works with no government funding and relies on donations.

Next year will see the charity spend its 10th year in its current building. But soon it will be pairing up with Margate’s Turner Contemporary art gallery to use the building to expand the work it does.

The expansion will be home to the charity’s job club, along with other initiatives.

Mr Morris added that volunteers can expect some major changes, with more charitable efforts.