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BAAF's nominee wins the Children's Charity Champion Award

Issued: 2 December 2004

Hilton Dawson, Member of Parliament for Lancaster and Wyre has won the 2004 Charity Champion Award in the Children and Youth Champion category. He was nominated by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering, (BAAF) for his unstinting work to improve childcare issues in Parliament over the last seven years.

The MP will receive his award tonight and said of his win:

"I'm delighted to have won this award and very grateful to those who nominated and supported me. Frankly it is not difficult to be a 'Children's Champion'. All you have to do is give children the opportunity to meet with you and be prepared to listen and learn. Anyone who does so will find out that children have important and interesting things to say and if you give them the chance, they speak out with a refreshing directness and honesty."

"BAAF is an excellent organisation who provided me with a beacon of good practice as a social worker and give extremely sound policy advice to Government and politicians."

Felicity Collier, Chief Executive of BAAF, said:

"Hilton has done a huge amount to empower children and young people and allow their voices to be heard by parliamentarians. When he stands down at the next election, children and young people will lose a passionate advocate and friend in Parliament."

"BAAF and all the campaigning childcare charities have found Hilton an important ally who takes the time to listen to our concerns, is not afraid to challenge and will say what he believes. His support for better protection of privately fostered children, for children in care and their foster carers and adopters has been inspirational."

During his time in Parliament, Hilton has done much to ensure that childcare issues have taken centre stage by setting up the All Party Group for Children and Young People in Care in 1997 which he continues to chair.

Hilton has also taken a very active role in developing legislation for children and young people. He has promoted a private member's bill for a children's commissioner on three occasions and served on the committees of the Children Bill (Leaving Care), and many others including: the Adoption and Children Bill and Child Trust Funds Bill.

Hilton will be standing down at the next election but will continue to work in the childcare arena on a new system centred upon the rights of children.

The Charity Champion Awards honour the hard work, time and effort devoted by MPs and Peers to charitable causes during the parliamentary year. Run by ePolitix.com, a politics website and supported by Charity Logistics, the awards demonstrate the strong relationship between parliamentarians and the voluntary sector. The winners of all nine categories will be announced on 2 December at the Institute of Civil Engineers, 1 Great George Street, London.

Ends

Contact:

For members of the press: If you need more information or would like to arrange an interview about child care issues members of the press can call our media team on 020 7593 2054.

If you have an urgent out of hours press enquiry, please contact the press office on 07767 444 589.

Notes to Editor

• The British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) is the UK's leading adoption and fostering charity. For more information visit www.baaf.org.uk
• For further information about the Charity Champion Award, please visit www.charitychampionawards.com