Applications have been thoroughly scrutinised and the results are now in as to which lucky charities will be championed by their local KM newspaper in 2020.

Nominations came flooding in over September and October from good causes vying for KM Charity of the Year status. And finally editors leading every aspect of the KM Group – from newspaper, internet, TV and radio – have revealed their chosen charities.

Three of the organisations are making repeat appearances with Kent Association for the Blind being named charity of the year for both the Ashford and the Folkestone and Hythe Express newspapers. The cause was also charity of the year for Kent Online, kmfm and KMTV in 2017.

Citizens Advice Swale will be trumpeted in the Sheerness Times Guardian and the Sittingbourne News Extra papers.

And the editors of the Kentish Gazette, KentOnline, kmfm and KMTV have chosen The Aspinal Foundation.

Plus Medway Messenger has once again picked Abigail’s Footsteps to champion for 12 months; the last time was five years ago in 2015.

KM Charity of the Year runs for the calendar year and so each cause will meet their editor pre-Christmas to start planning press coverage for 2020.

Before this, the causes will be briefed at the offices of the KM Charity Team - which administrates the application process - and advised on how to make the most of the opportunity.

To receive news alerts for KM Charity of the Year and details of other support available for charities and PTA groups, sign up for the KM Charity Team’s monthly e-newsletter Inspire. Visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/newsletter to find out more.

KM Charity of the Year 2020 selected causes:

Ashford (Kentish Express): Kent Association for the Blind

Canterbury District (Kentish Gazette): The Aspinal Foundation

Deal, Dover (East Kent Mercury): Martha Trust

Dartford, Gravesend (Messenger): YMCA Thames Gateway

Folkestone & Hythe Express: Kent Association for the Blind

Maidstone (Kent Messenger): Friends of Five Acre Wood School

Medway Towns (Medway Messenger): Abigail’s Footsteps

Sheerness Times Guardian: Citizens Advice Swale

Sittingbourne News Extra: Citizens Advice Swale

Thanet Extra: Age UK Thanet

Kent Online / kmfm / KMTV: The Aspinal Foundation