Mirror campaigner Max Johnson has received a special honour, and remembered the little girl who saved his life.
The 14-year-old collected a British Citizen Youth Award, given to a “small number of exceptional individuals”.
Max proudly wore his Medal of Honour on his chest while paying tribute to his heart donor Keira Ball.
The teenager from Winsford, Cheshire, said “I just wanted to say it is an honour to receive an award like this.
“I want to thank the British Heart Foundation, the NHS and above all the family of Keira.”
His parents Emma, 52, and Paul, 49, added: “If it were not for Keira’s parents, Joe and Loanna Ball, we would not be here today.
“We are forever indebted to them and the incredible work of the NHS.”
Introduced in 2020, England’s new “opt out” legislation is named Max and Keira’s Law in their honour.
Keira died aged nine in a car accident near her home in Barnstaple, Devon, in 2017. Her family made the selfless decision to donate her organs and therefore save Max’s life.
The moving ceremony in Parliament heard Max had spearheaded our “Change the Law for Life” campaign – and helped to raise more than £500,000 for the British Heart Foundation.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, its Chief Executive, said: “Max is truly deserving of this incredible honour. He is a remarkable young man who, through his tireless campaigning, changed the law so that more people will live.
“Max and Keira’s story became the driving force behind the change in the organ donation law. He is a living embodiment of hope.
“We are incredibly thankful to Max and his family for all their support over many years and from all of us at the British Heart Foundation, Max, you are a hero.”
The awards, presented by singer Kimberly Wyatt, recognised the achievements of 24 remarkable young people plus one group.
