DONNA and Paul Stevens, who founded local charity Elliot’s Touch in memory of their baby boy, have won a British Heart Foundation award for their work to support the fight against heart disease.
The couple won the South West’s Inspiration Award, one of four categories in the annual Heart Hero Awards 2017 to celebrate the exceptional contribution supporters make to the BHF’s work.
It was announced at a South West Supporter Day held last Friday (July 21) in Bristol, and awarded for “involving and inspiring others in the fight for every heartbeat,” through such activities as fundraising, events or volunteering.
“It was a very emotional afternoon listening to everyone’s very courageous stories,” Donna said on the Elliot’s Touch Facebook page.
“Paul and I are extremely thankful for everyone who voted for us and to the BHF for presenting us with this award.”
Elliot died soon after his first birthday in 2015, and Donna and Paul set up the charity Elliot’s Touch in 2015, with the aim of raising funds to research and raise awareness of cardiomyopathy (diseases of the heart muscle) in children and mitochondrial disease, a possible cause of cardiomyopathy, for which there is currently no cure.
Since then they have gone on to raise well over £72,000 through all kinds of events and activities.
“This award goes out to everyone who has helped us in any way – and most of all to Elliot our beautiful boy, who has inspired us all to fight with every heartbeat,” Donna said.
The Elliot’s Touch Facebook page had over 150 comments praising the couple for their achievements and saying how well deserved the award was.