A Bury dad who lost his daughter to a rare cardiac condition will be recognised for his ongoing charity work with a prestigious award.
David Hutton, 39, lost his daughter Isla to a very rare and serious heart condition when she was aged just six.
Isla, who died at Royal Bolton Hospital in October 2022, lived with a genetic condition called Long QT, a form of cardiac arrhythmia.
Since then, David has worked tirelessly to support families of children living with cardiac conditions even starting a charity, Team 1C in 2017, along with a group of other parents whose children were born with congenital heart defects.
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David will be recognised at a ceremony at the Palace of Westminster on Thursday, January 18 and honoured with The British Citizen Award for services to volunteering and charitable giving, receiving the coveted BCA Medal of Honour.
He will receive his accolade along with 27 other people.
Reflecting on the award, David said that everything he does now is to honour Isla’s legacy and to raise awareness of Long QT.
He said: “It’s really bittersweet, everything I’ve done has been in Isla’s memory, but it is bittersweet that she is not here to be part of it.
“I’m proud to be recognised for the work we’ve been doing.”
David, who is a co-founder and trustee of Team 1C, has helped to raise more than £130,000 for charity and has helped to fund 201 heart surgeries.
The organisation also helps to ensure that families caring for children in hospital have access to hot meals, especially when shops and hospital cafés are closed, such as on Sunday evenings.
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He added: “We always try to help people who are in a less fortunate situation than us, one big thing is making sure families are looked after.”
David and Team 1C also continue to work alongside Royal Bolton Hospital, delivering three cars worth of presents for the children there last month in honour of Isla’s birthday on December 19.
Following his campaign work, Canadian pharmaceutical company Thryv are now working to develop a drug to help those with Long QT, which currently has no dedicated treatment.
The medal presentation at the Palace will be hosted by TV presenter Matt Allwright, and attended by BCA Patrons, Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers, and The Rt Hon Lord Dholakia.
The British Citizen Award was established in 2015 to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on their communities and society.
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