Terminally ill fundraising dad walking 25 million steps for Prostate Cancer UK named overall winner at Pride in Medway Awards 2025
A father-of-two who has turned his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis three years ago into an inspiring fundraising mission has been named overall winner at the Pride in Medway Awards 2025. Paul Dennington, 59, from Hempstead, Gillingham has raised more than £80,000 for the charity since 2022, pushing himself in different physical challenges to raise awareness of the condition, and encourage more men to get themselves checked out. One in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Setting himself a goal of 25 million steps, the equivalent distance of walking 12,000 miles around the globe to New Zealand, Paul has to date walked marathons (three in the first year alone), held football matches, street parties with Elvis and completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge (on a cross-trainer).
Paul was the pick of 38 finalists invited to this year’s Pride in Medway gala evening held on Friday, 4 April at MidKent College in Chatham Maritime for an evening celebrating the best of Medway. The citation read out on the night, included the following words of support: “Paul is surrounded by the love of his family but will probably never truly realise just how inspirational and admired he is by the so many people his tireless campaigning touches. He really does make every day count.”
Pride in Medway is an annual celebration of the good deeds, bravery and community spirit of the people of Medway. Now in its 23rd year, sponsor awards are presented in nine categories, as well as an overall winner. It is run by Kent communications agency, Pillory Barn.
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple, said: “What a phenomenal evening at the Pride in Medway gala.
“With 199 nominations it shows time and time again Medway has amazing people doing extraordinary things every single day and it’s brilliant to recognise these individuals and groups, all of whom make me proud to be Medway.
“Huge thanks to organisers, sponsors and those who took time to nominate.
“I also want to recognise the overall winner, Paul Dennington. I’m lucky enough to have seen Paul in action and I have no doubt that, despite his personal circumstances, his personal drive and awareness raising will have saved lives. He is a very deserving winner of the overall Pride in Medway award.”
In addition to Medway Council as headline sponsor, this year’s Pride in Medway sponsors included: Medway Messenger, Uniper, National Grid, mhs homes, MidKent College, Syntech Biofuel, Cherrywood Productions and Bridgewood Manor Hotel.
