The KM Charities of the Year for 2015 have been chosen!

A good cause has been selected for each of the nine regional areas served by Kent Messenger Group newspapers - plus this year a cause has been specifically chosen for the Malling edition of the Kent Messenger - along with Kent Online. So in all 11 good causes will benefit from this title during 2015.

There were 221 applications altogether and editors in each region spent time painstakingly reading the ones submitted by good causes on their patch. It is always a tough call, but the following organisations stood out for a variety of reasons.

The Kentish Express will be backing Guide Dogs for the blind, at charity that helps blind and partially sighted people to gain mobility and independence.

The Folkestone and Hythe Express has selected Folkestone and District MIND, which aims to improve the quality of life for those in Shepway who are experiencing mental distress.

Similarly, in Maidstone the Kent Messenger will be supporting Maidstone MIND, where people who are suffering from mental or emotional distress are offered a range of services and support.

In Malling, the Kent Messenger will be backing SSAFA Kent Branch (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association). Founded in 1885, the charity offers lifelong support to our forces and their families.

The Dartford and Gravesend Messengers are supporting the Stacey Mowle Appeal. Eight year old Stacey from Gravesend has neuroblastoma cancer stage four and spends the majority of her time at the Royal Marsden Hospital. The campaign is raising funds for pioneering treatment in the USA.

The Medway Messenger has selected Abigail’s Footsteps, which provides support for parents, friends, families and carers who suffer the loss of a baby either before or at birth. The charity also aims to raise awareness to reduce the risk of stillbirth and campaigns for bereavement training for midwives.

For the Sheerness Times Guardian and Sittingbourne Messenger the choice is SATEDA (Swale Action To End Domestic Abuse). SATEDA supports those affected by domestic abuse and works with schools to promote healthy relationships.

The Thanet Extra will be supporting C4C (Caring for Connor), a campaign set up and run by relatives of Connor Olsen, a five year old boy diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The rare and incurable disease is fatal and the C4C campaign raises funds to support Connor and vital research.

The Kentish Gazette has chosen Catching Lives, the small, independent charity that supports local homeless populations of rough sleepers and vulnerably housed individuals.

Deal’s East Kent Mercury and the Dover Mercury are backing PSA (the Prostate Cancer Support Association), which supports sufferers of prostate cancer as well as their partners and carers and encourages men to visit their GP if they have any concerns.

Kent Online has selected Kent Search and Rescue, a voluntary organisation that helps Kent police to search for vulnerable missing people. They also help local communities in times of need such as during major floods.

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team said: “All of the successful causes will receive the backing of their local KM newspaper title, our kmfm radio station and the Kent Online website, which has over a million unique browsers every month.”

He added: “I’d like to thank all of the good causes that entered Charity of the Year. Even if you were not selected, your efforts were not wasted. Now, your local newspaper editor is more familiar with your work and will bear you in mind another year.

“You can also sign up for our charity pack and charity newsletter and benefit from access to the same fundraising events as these winners will enjoy.”

To sign up for the Charity Link e-newsletter visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk. Click on the Charity and Fundraising Support link to request a charity pack.