A Barking and Dagenham Post campaign calling for justice for victims of the contaminated blood scandal has been nominated for an award recognising the power of local newspapers to lobby for positive change.
Over the last year this newspaper has reported on the stories of local people who were infected with HIV and hepatitis C (hep C) in the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.
They include gas technician Barry Farrugia, of Whitebarn Lane, Dagenham, and two of his brothers who lost their lives after being infected during treatment for the blood disorder haemophilia.
We have backed calls for a fairer system of support for the 7,500 people nationwide whose health has been ruined and compensation for the families of the 2,000 who have died.
Now our campaign has been shortlisted for a Making a Difference award at the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards which will be decided by a public vote.
We are asking readers to support the Post, and more importantly those who have so bravely spoken out to campaign for justice, by voting for us.
Tony Farrugia, Barry’s son, said: “Until recently most of the infected and their families hadn’t spoken out because of the stigma attached to HIV and hep C.
“With your help and great coverage more people have come forward and it’s very important we continue to raise awareness of what happened and the devastating effects it has had on thousands of haemophiliacs and their families.
“With continued press coverage we can only hope the government will finally bring closure to the victims they created.
“I would like to thank the Post and all the team who have been involved.”
The polls open today and the winner will be announced at the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards on Friday, 20 May.
To vote for the Post, visit localnewspaperweek.co.uk/Making-a-Difference
Click on the frontpage ‘I want justice for my brothers’ to vote for Archant Investigations Unit: Contaminated Blood Scandal.
Voting closes at 5pm on Wednesday, May 18.
Archant is the Post’s parent company and coverage also ran across our sister titles in London, Kent, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.
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