by Rebecca Hughes

Dedicated and deserving residents have been honoured at this year's Pride in Medway Awards.

Nominees aged six to 90 were at The Corn Exchange in Rochester on Friday to receive their certificates from the Mayor of Medway, Cllr Ted Baker.

They included brave Alec Martin, 14, from Allhallows, who has raised £6,500 for charity despite suffering from cancer and 15-year-old Matthew Swinney, from Strood, who was put forward to mark the exceptional support he gives his family.

After presenting the certificates, Cllr Baker offered his congratulations to all the nominees.

He said: "They have put in so much dedication and it was a very good evening."

This year’s Pride in Medway awards have been supported by the Medway Messenger, mhs homes, the University of Kent, Medway Council, E. ON and Southern Water.

A panel of judges will now meet to choose the finalists who will be invited to a gala night which takes place at the Pilkington Building , Chatham Maritime, on Saturday, March 17.

For a full report on the awards presentation and pictures of all the nominees, see this Friday’s Medway Messenger.