FOR Emma Gooding-Brown it is a labour of love.

The premature birth of her son, Cameron, now seven who was born 16 weeks early, led Emma on a campaign trail for which she has now been rewarded.

Emma, from Bradford, who is also mum to five-year-old daughter Anya, was honoured by the premature and sick baby charity, Bliss, after she clinched the national 2016 Bliss Championing Babies’ Voices award in a dedicated ‘thank you’ ceremony at the Stratford-upon-Avon Home and Garden Show.

“I guess I am humbled but proud as well because it is nice to be recognised for the things I do,” says Emma.

She began volunteering three years ago as a parent representative on the neonatal network for Yorkshire and Humber.

Since then Emma has become a Bliss Champion supporting parents whose babies are being cared for in the neo-natal units within Leeds General and St James’ University hospitals as part of the Family Integrated Care pilot project.

The aim of the initiative is to train and equip parents to play central roles in the care of their premature or sick baby whilst he or she is being cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Research suggests that involving parents more closely in the care of their babies can improve bonding, make the transition from hospital to home more seamless, increase breastfeeding rates on discharge and help reduce rates of infection and or parental stress.

Emma explains many parents can suffer from post-traumatic stress, yet there isn’t sufficient funding to offer psychological support to parents which is why having the presence of a parent who has been through a similar experience is invaluable to many.

“I know how difficult and scary it can be to spend time on a neo-natal unit,” says Emma.

She talks of the stressful experience and also of the struggle many parents face when they finally leave hospital for home and how being able to off-load to someone who has been through a similar situation can bring great comfort to many families.

Through Bliss, Emma and her fellow volunteers provide a vital link between parents, neo-natal units and Bliss services, to ensure families can gain access to the information and support services that Bliss provides.

“Once you get out (of hospital) I think for a lot of people that is when all the emotions hit, but this has been wonderful because I can put my experience into a positive way,” says Emma.

“I have realised speaking to other mums that it’s not just me and also it’s about normalising feelings, realising that really it is ok to feel frightened and it’s ok to realise all these emotions.”

Emma was among eight winners in eight different categories to be honoured for their outstanding contribution to Bliss’ work throughout the UK with premature or sick babies and their families.

She received her engraved glass memento from Bliss Chief Executive, Caroline Davey. “To be honest I am really surprised because I am just a normal Mum. What I am trying to do is make things better for everybody,” says Emma.

Her son Cameron was just 1lb 7oz when he was born and had to spend the first four months of his life in hospital.

As he is getting older, Cameron is aware of the charity, and his mum’s work, and also does his bit to help when he can.

He accompanied his mum to a Bliss reception at the Houses of Parliament in London in October 2015 to help launch the Bliss baby report. He is also helping to raise the charity’s profile and attends many family-related events.

Emma is clearly proud of her family and their support for her work, and Bliss are keen to show their appreciation to Emma too, which they did during Thursday’s presentation which was organised by family business, Blooming Marvellous Events Ltd.

Caroline Davey, Chief Executive of Bliss, said: “I’m delighted to recognise the hard work and dedication that Emma shows in her support of Bliss’ work. From her pivotal role in the neonatal network for Yorkshire and Humber to her support of our campaigns, she truly goes above and beyond in her commitment to championing babies’ voices both locally and nationally. Emma’s personal connection to Bliss makes this all the more meaningful and we are thrilled to be able to celebrate all of her efforts in this way.”