Local heroes from across the region took centre-stage at the Pride in Medway awards, co-sponsored by the University.

Overall winner was Anita Marinelli who has raised almost £600,000 for the Ruby Young Appeal. Ruby was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, just before her second birthday.

Family friend Anita organised an appeal to raise money for Ruby’s treatment in America. The campaign was supported by local people as well as celebrities including Louis Tomlinson from One Direction and England fly-half Danny Cipriani.

Anita was crowned winner at the annual awards event, now in its 15th year, at a gala finalist ceremony on 9 April in the Pilkington Building, Medway campus. The ceremony was hosted by ITV Meridian’s Sangeeta Bharbra and children’s TV presenter Phil Gallagher.

More than 30 unsung heroes picked up awards at the event, which is aimed at rewarding people who go above and beyond the call of duty in their everyday lives. Each of the sponsors – including the University, Medway Council, mhs homes, the Medway Messenger, Uniper and Southeastern – gave a prize to their chosen winner before the overall victor was announced.

This year’s University winner was Amy Harwood who, aged 13, was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata, a disease causing hair loss. She was nominated by her mum for being ‘incredibly brave’ in coping with the condition.

Over the past two years, Amy has worked tirelessly for the alopecia charity AAR-UK, raising almost £10,000 to try and find a cure. She has also enrolled with a multi-talent agency in London and will feature in a Channel 4 documentary on Alopecia this summer.

Amy’s award was presented on the night by Jane Glew, the University’s College Master for Medway, who said: ‘This amazing and beautiful young lady has refused to let Alopecia stand in the way of what she has wanted to achieve and is helping other young people with Alopecia to pursue their dreams with confidence.’

Other finalists at the Pride in Medway ceremony were toddler Harry Thumwood who, while in hospital in Medway, donated his Peppa Pig collection to the hospital playroom, a team of volunteers who share basic cookery skills with other young people at Woodlands Youth Centre, and William Thomas, Medway’s oldest lollipop man until his recent retirement.

For further information, see the Pride in Medway webpages.