Three boys who cycled across Kent in memory of their friend and brought a community together named the overall winners of Pride in Medway 2026
Award, one of 11 given on a night celebrating Medway’s local heroes, including special recognition for community response to Brompton attack
Three boys from Halling who planned and completed a 44-mile charity cycle challenge from Halling to Herne Bay, alongside study for their 11+ exams, have been named the overall winners of Pride In Medway 2026.
Dara Le Brunn-Moore, 11, Oliver Szczes-Tindall, 10, and Tobey Batstone, 10 raised £3,670 for the Bluebell Circle CIC, a community project set up in memory of Sofia Le Brunn-Healey who died, aged seven, last year from a rare form of brain cancer.
Their actions inspired friends, families and neighbours to start their own fundraising towards a £50,000 appeal that will create a magical riverside throne in Sofia’s memory and transform the surrounding area into a fun, accessible and inspiring new space for local children and young people.
The overall winner prize was the culmination of a night of celebration for 35 finalists selected from 157 nominations for the 24th Pride In Medway Awards. Held for the first time at the Corn Exchange in Rochester, the event once again showcased the good deeds, acts of bravery and community spirit of the people of Medway.
A special recognition award was also presented to representatives from the Royal Engineers, Medway Council and Kent Police on behalf of all the emergency services and members of the public who played their part in saving the life of Lt Col Mark Teeton after he was attacked near Brompton barracks in July 2024.
The winners of nine individual category awards judged by sponsors Uniper, Grain LNG, Medway Council, Practice Plus, Wilmott Dixon, mhs homes, Bridgewood Hotel,
Cherrywood Productions, SyntecH Biofuel, MidKent College and Medway Messenger were also called to the stage.
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple, said: “This was another phenomenal evening at the Pride in Medway finals gala and the first to be held in the wonderful Corn Exchange in Rochester.
“With over 150 nominations this event once again showcased the best of Medway with amazing people and organisations doing extraordinary things that fully deserve to be recognised. It makes us all proud to call this place our home.
“Huge thanks to the organisers, sponsors, those who took time to nominate and all the finalists and winners. Every single person nominated truly makes me proud to be Medway.”
Category winners included Steven Hawkins (Kindness in Action), Twydall Primary School (School Community Award), Keith Clear (Volunteer of the Year), Anthony Martin (Outstanding Fundraiser), Woodlands Warriors Wheelchair Rugby League (Sarah Clarke Award), Desiree Nurse (Community Impact) Jack Charnley (Courage and Bravery), Martin Peat (Environment Hero) and Rosie Stokes (Inspiring Youth).
Pride in Medway is run by Kent communications agency, Pillory Barn. For details on nominating your community heroes for the 2027 Pride in Medway Awards, or for sponsorship opportunities, visit: www.prideinmedway.co.uk or email prideinmedway@pillorybarn.co.uk