Teenage heroes to community champions – Nominations open for Pride in Medway 2025
Pride in Medway is back for 2025 with new categories giving more reasons than ever to nominate people of all ages, groups and organisations showing the best of Medway.
In April, three pupils from The Howard School in Rainham set the standard after being named overall winners at the Pride in Medway Awards 2024 for going to the aid of pensioner Richard Kimble.
Harry James, Nathan Pennock and Owen Edwards were nominated for a Pride in Medway award by Russell Kimble, whose father had fallen ill while out shopping in Rainham High Street.
The three young Samaritans rushed to Richard’s aid, ensuring he had water and was steady on his feet, before carrying his shopping and walking him safely home.
Harry, Nathan and Owen were among 38 finalists selected from 118 nominations invited to the 2024 Pride in Medway gala evening held at MidKent College in Chatham Maritime. Now it’s time to do it all over again as we launch Pride in Medway 2025.
Pride in Medway is an annual celebration of the good deeds, bravery and community spirit of the people of Medway. Now in its 23rdnd year, sponsor awards will be presented in nine categories, as well as an overall winner.
A new category this year is the School Community Award celebrating schools across Medway supporting their community – from litter clear ups and volunteering to singing for the elderly. We’ve also refreshed the Young Hero category this year, now renamed the Inspiring Youth Award (under 18) We’ll be calling for nominations from Medway’s next generation who make a difference or continue to smile despite challenges in their way.
The Sarah Clarke Award, named in honour of the much-missed Medway Messenger senior news editor who played such as important part in the success of the Pride in Medway awards will also have a new element added. For 2025, we still want to hear about people who are passionate about the difference sport and recreation can make to their community but also those who have given others the self-belief and confidence to get fit, exercise and socialise through the power of sport.
Matt Ramsden, Senior Editor, Medway Messenger and Pride in Medway sponsor, commented: “Every year the Pride in Medway Awards recognise extraordinary groups and individual making a difference. and we look forward to reading this year’s nominations as they come in. It’s always a brilliant event,
“From acts of courage to going the extra mile the awards celebrate those unsung heroes in our community who deserve every recognition and make us all proud every day to be part of Medway.”
Medway Council has once again been confirmed as headline sponsor with Medway Messenger, Bridgewood Manor Hotel, mhs homes, MidKent College, Uniper and National Grid also returning to support Pride in Medway 2025.
The full list of categories this year includes Outstanding Fundraiser, Community Impact, Courage and Bravery, Kindness in Action, Environment Hero, School Community Award, Volunteer of the Year, Inspiring Youth (Under 18) and the Sarah Clarke Award for Commitment to Recreation, Sport, Health and Wellbeing.
Nominations are now OPEN!!