A WIRRAL campaigner has been awarded for his work promoting the work of a national special baby care charity.

Ben Wills-Eve was nominated for a 'Thank You' award in recognition of all he has done to help Bliss, which supports parents of premature and sick babies. He received the award during an event in London. 

The 24-year-old said: "I am delighted to be receive this award as recognition of my campaigning work.

"It feels slightly odd to be rewarded for doing something that I'm passionate about, it never feels like work!"

Ben was born early at 23 weeks gestation in 1990, after his mother was admitted to Arrowe Park Hospital with a burst appendix. 

He was deaf for the first nine months of his life, but today doesn’t suffer from any health complications relating to his premature birth.

He continued: "This passion to campaign for Bliss comes not only from the fact that I was born very prematurely, but also from the need to raise awareness of the effects of premature birth, now the leading cause of infant mortality worldwide, on families everywhere."

Caroline Davey, chief executive of Bliss said: "We have really been struck by Ben’s passion as he has campaigned tirelessly for the rights of premature and sick babies."