A TOTAL of £83,000 worth of cheques has been handed over to the county's charities – the proceeds of this year's Kent Charity Walk organised by Shepherd Neame and the Kent Messenger Group.

Shepherd Neame's chief executive Jonathan Neame joined KM Group chairman Geraldine Allinson to present 10 cheques each totalling £7,800.

The funds were given to the Pilgrims Hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Margate, Demelza House Children’s Hospice in Sittingbourne, Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford, the Lions Hospice in Northfleet, the Ellenor Foundation in Dartford, Hospice in the Weald in Pembury, Rochester’s Wisdom Hospice and St Christopher’s Hospice in Bromley.

As this year’s walk was held at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park near Hythe, an additional cheque for £5,000 was presented to the John Aspinall Foundation, a charity devoted to protecting rare and endangered animals and returning them to protected areas in the wild.

Speaking at the presentation at Shepherd Neame’s visitor centre, Jonathan Neame said: "The walk is a hugely popular event in the Kent calendar and long may it continue.

"Kent’s hospices rely on the continued support of people like our charity walkers and the staggering amount of money they raise.

"Well done to everyone who took part and supported the event this year."

Mr Neame also announced that the 2008 Kent Charity Walk will be held on May 18 at Charing.

Geraldine Allinson said: "Hospices do absolutely fantastic work within the community. I know they will put the funds to good use."

Joy Blunderfield of the Lions Hospice in Northfleet said: "People like you really keep us going, I can’t thank you enough."

Speaking on behalf of Demelza House Children’s Hospice in Sittingbourne, Pam Draper said: "This money is so important for the children and their families, helping to add life to days where days can’t be added to life."

The partnership between the Kent brewers and the newspaper group has now raised a total of £763,000 for Kent hospices over 12 years of charity walks.