Matt and Caroline Loughrey with daughter Jessica

by Jenni Horn

Courageous couple Matt and Caroline Loughrey have been crowned the winners of this year’s Pride in Medway awards.

Since their eldest daughter Emily died in 2007, Matt and Caroline, together with the help of family and friends, have raised an incredible £88,000 for CLIC Sargent.

A year ago the pair, of St Mary's Island, Chatham, set off on an epic journey across America in aid of the childhood cancer charity. Matt cycled 3,000 miles from coast to coast in just 19 days, with only Caroline in a support vehicle alongside him.

It followed bike rides from Land’s End to John O’Groats and Chatham to Gibraltar, as well as countless other fundraising challenges inspired by Matt and Caroline’s efforts – from skydives to sponsored slims.

There was a standing ovation as the pair made their way to the stage at the Pride in Medway gala night on Saturday, exactly one year to the day since the start of their USA journey.

Their youngest daughter Jessica was there to see them collect their award, wiping away tears as they were handed their trophy by six-time Paralympic champion Sascha Kindred.