Local heroes had their moment in the spotlight at the Pride in Medway gala night.

From more than 70 nominations, just over 30 finalists attended the evening at the Pilkington Building on the Universities at Medway campus.

The overall winner was Anita Marinelli who has raised almost £600,000 for the Ruby Young Appeal.

Anita said: "I'm speechless. I never thought that I would win."

Ruby was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, just days after her second birthday.

Anita, who is friends with Ruby's mum Vicki, organsied an appeal to raise £500,000 for treatment in America.

The campaign was supported by friends and strangers from across the Towns who helped to raise the total in just 11 months.

Celebrities including Louis Tomlinson from One Direction, musician Rick Wakeman, England fly-half Danny Cipriani and The Only Way Is Essex’s Mario Falcone, also leant their support to the social media campaign.

The stories of all the nominees were once again read out by Meridian TV presenter Sangeeta Bhabra who described the night as her favourite event of the year.

Each of the sponsors - Medway Council, the University of Kent, mhs homes, the Medway Messenger, Uniper and Southeastern - gave a prize to their chosen winner before the overall victor was announced.

These were handed out by special guest children’s TV presenter Phil Gallagher who plays Mister Maker on Cbeebies.

You can see pictures from the awards night in the Medway Messenger on Monday and next Friday.