Awards for all ages and all reasons – Pride in Medway certainly lived up to that reputation at this year’s certificate presentation.

Around 70 people were put forward for the awards this time around and many of them were at MidKent College in Gillingham for the ceremony on Friday evening.

The youngest recipient on the night was three-year-old Ruby Young, who has been battling a rare childhood cancer and the oldest was George Kitchener who, at the age of 89, continues to brighten people’s lives with his music.

Deputy mayor Cllr Steve Iles was on stage to present the awards although he had to step down to give Ruby her certificate after she decided that not even a delicious cake from the buffet would tempt her to go on stage.

The biggest turnout on the night was from Wakely ward at Medway Maritime Hospital which sent 14 members of staff along to celebrate its nomination, given for the dignity, respect and good humour they showed to a dying cancer patient.

A particularly poignant moment came with a posthumous award to Safiya Stewart, who died last year at the age of 18.

Safiya was a keen dancer who dreamed of being a chef but also found time to give back to the community by setting up Young People United, to celebrate cultural diversity and promote opportunities for young people, and getting involved in the Love Music Hate Racism festival.

Her mum Carol accepted the award and said it was wonderful that her daughter’s achievements and impact on the community has been recognised in this way.

A panel of judges will now have the difficult task of choosing which of the nominees should go forward to the gala night which is on Saturday, April 9 at the Universities at Medway campus Pilkington Building.

Pride in Medway is sponsored by Medway Council, mhs homes, the University of Kent, the Medway Messenger, Uniper and Southeastern.

For more pictures from the evening, see Friday's Medway Messenger.