Honour for parents of Bethany

A courageous couple whose daughter lost a brave battle with a rare bowel condition have been given special recognition after being presented with a Local Heroes Award by the Express and Star.

Nikki and Tim Dawson, from Cannock, have been honoured for their campaigning work following the death of their daughter Bethany at the age of just two.

The couple have helped to inspire thousands of people to become organ donors by telling the story of their daughter.

They were presented with their award from the Express and Star this week. It is the second award for Nikki in the space of weeks as she won the Positive Mum Of The Year in Tesco's Magazine.

Nikki, aged 23, and her husband Tim have fought tirelessly to raise awareness for organ donation since Bethany was born with gastroschisis – in which the intestine is exposed before birth and has to be replaced.

The couple, of Whinnyates Rise, Cannock, and her family dedicated themselves to Bethany's round the clock care.

At just 10 months old, it became clear that Bethany needed a liver and bowel transplant. Nikki launched a Facebook campaign to encourage people to join the organ donation register, attracting 160,000 members. Sadly, Bethany died on September 17.

Nikki said: "It was quite a shock to receive the Local Heroes Award but we are delighted and honoured." Local Heroes is sponsored by Birmingham Midshires and Wolverhampton Wanderers In The Community. It culminates with a celebrity lunch at Molineux in December.