A Christian charity which helps people close to home and all over the world has been nominated for a Pride in Medway award.

Blythswood Care, which is based at The Jasmine Centre, Sir Thomas Longley Road, Strood, has been put forward for the community involvement category by Ray Avenell.

Ray, who works at Blythswood Care, said: "The Medway-based volunteers continue to play an integral part in all that they do to help needy people locally and globally. They generate income from our two local charity shops and in many other ways, and also work in partnerships with many other organisations.

"They match donated goods to beneficiary-led wish lists saving tonnes of goods from landfill whilst helping thousands of people away from dependency.

"In the past year volunteers have travelled at their own expense to India, Africa, Sri Lanka as well as Hungary, Serbia, Kosova and Albania.

"They also helped distribute tonnes of donated soup to a variety of local charities and provided targeted assistance to local residents. They are on schedule to give in excess of 14,000 hours during 2008, and are already planning their annual Christmas shoebox appeal.

"As well as disaster and emergency relief response they work with partner organisations and communities on long-term projects to help people help themselves.

"The next project is the provision of four refurbished fire engines and a paramedic ambulance for Serbia to enable them to respond better to the full range of fire and rescue needs of their communities."