The organisers of the Kent Charity Awards (KCA) have announced an extension to the deadline for entries.

Charities, trustees and volunteers now have until April 12 to put their name in the hat for the annual ceremony.

The gala evening will now take place, either face to face if restrictions allow, or virtually in early September.

Established in 2015, the Awards have gone from strength-to-strength and are the highlight of the third sector calendar in Kent.

They are open to charities, both large and small, from across the county.

Chairman of judges, Susan Robinson from Kreston Reeves, which is one of the sponsors of the KCA, said: "The judges are pleased to be involved in the Kent Charity Awards for 2021.

"It is wonderful to have the opportunity to say well done and thank you for the hard work that often goes on under the radar.

"Without this sector, society would be a poorer place and we need to acknowledge their positive impact. We look forward to receiving lots of entries."

Children and Families Ltd recently entered the Children's Charity and Community Charity or Project of the Year award.

It tackles child poverty and food poverty across Kent and with the expansion of its premises, it has continued to deliver food weekly to over 140 charities and community groups.

They are on course to support over 200 charities and re-distribute over 425 tonnes of good quality surplus food this year.

Entering the awards is free and a great way for good causes to gain exposure, increase stakeholder funding, build collaborations with other charities and can also be great for staff morale.

Paul Haines has been the co-chair of the trustees of Nourish Community Foodbank for six years, and has been largely responsible for steering the growth and expansion of Nourish.

He has been nominated for the Trustee of the Year Award for his influence, determination and ambition when working with the charity.

Tina Thompson is up for the Volunteer of the Year Award, and has been a friend at Hextable based charity, We are Beams, for many years and always puts the needs of the children before her own.

Janis Smith, a volunteer at the Nourish Community Foodbank in Tunbridge Wells, has also been nominated in the volunteer category.

As well as looking after a large family, Janis has found time to make face masks, which she sells and has so far raised almost £7000 for Nourish.

Carol Lewis has also been nominated for Volunteer of the Year Award for the hard work and time she has given to the West Faversham Community Centre throughout lockdown.

She is a volunteer who truly cares for her community and the wellbeing of others, whilst also having a full-time job working at Air Ambulance Kent, Surrey and Sussex at their HQ in Chatham.

As well as entering a charity for an award, people can also nominate a trustee of a charity, or a volunteer that they would like recognised for the great work they do.

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

Full details on how to enter can be found here.

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