A MUM campaigning to improve children's cancer services after her daughter died at the get of 10 has been honoured by the Prime Minister for her efforts.

Charlotte Fairall's daughter Sophie sadly died in September 2021 after she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer.

Since Sophie’s death, devoted Charlotte from Stubbington has been working alongside Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage to introduce changes to children's cancer services.

Their aim is to better educate people on childhood cancer symptoms, supporting pioneering research to identify new forms of treatments and improve the patient’s experience while undergoing treatment. They want to see more mental health support for the family and long-term support for survivors.

Charlotte was given the award when she met with Health Secretary Steve Barclay and Dame Caroline on Thursday, to discuss her childhood cancer mission.

'The one who deserves this the most is Sophie'

“It was a complete shock, to be honest,” Charlotte said. “But the one who deserves this the most is Sophie.

“She's the one who has driven. She's the one who wanted to change and who sacrificed her life to try to make that difference before she died.

“She's the one that drives us all, every single day, to try and implement that difference.”

Charlotte described her meeting with Mr Barclay as “productive” and says she is confident progress is being made.

She said: “He has come up with lots of action plans, he's got people looking into things to try talk about some solutions, so actually felt probably the most productive.”

READ MORE: 'This is Sophie’s legacy'

The Points of Life is an award given by the Prime Minister, who every weekday recognises outstanding volunteers and members of communities for the change they are making.

It’s the third time Charlotte has met with ministers to discuss her mission, having met the then Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, in December 2021 and minister Maria Caulfield in June 2022.

Charlotte thanked Dame Caroline for her support and said she "wouldn't always be able to achieve this without her".

Dame Caroline said: “Charlotte has worked tirelessly to campaign for improved child cancer services, from diagnosis, research, experiences of patients, treatments and survivorship.

This campaign makes a real tangible difference to other people’s lives. I can think of no one more deserving of this award, Charlotte has used an unimaginable tragedy to campaign for much needed change.

"I am enormously proud of her.”

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