MPs and peers honoured for charity work

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Nine members of the Lords and Commons have won awards for their work with charities.

At the DODS Charity Champion Awards 2009 on Tuesday Lord Archer of Sandwell won Outstanding Achievement Award.

MPs, peers and charities came together to celebrate the valuable support and contributions that Parliamentarians have made over the past year to a variety of causes.

Lord Archer received his award for a number of causes he supports, but most of all for his work investigating contamination in NHS blood products.

He was presented the award by Lord Morris of Manchester and the sponsors of the award, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

The evening began when Gisela Stewart MP, editor of the House Magazine, introduced special guest Angela Smith, minister for the third sector.

A previous winner of the Animal Welfare Champion Award, Smith said she was "delighted" to be welcomed back, explaining how important the awards are the winners.

"These are nominated by charities in the voluntary sector and voted on by your parliamentary peers," she said.

"So that's a pretty high threshold you have to get over."

This year's Animal Welfare Champion Award was presented to Martin Horwood MP, for his consistent support for Naturewatch and speaking out on animal-related issues in Parliament.

Other winners included shadow leader of the House Sir George Young, who received the Older People's Champion Award for his work in addressing the issues faced by those who care for the elderly, and Earl Howe, who picked up the Health Champion Award.

Voluntary Services Overseas won the Charity of the Year award for decades of aid given to the developing world, helping people out of poverty through training and education.

The evening was hosted by Robin Hutchinson, co-founder of the ceremony, which has been running for seven years.

Previous award winners include prime minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Commons Speaker John Bercow.

DODS Chairty Champion Awards Winners 2009

Animal Welfare Champion Award, Sponsored by BUAV - Martin Horwood MP

Children & Youth Champion Award, Sponsored by EAGA - Baroness Julia Cumberlege

Community Champion Award, Sponsored by Domino's Pizza Group - Neil Gerrard MP

Disability Champion Award, Sponsored by Elizabeth Finn Care - Tom Clarke MP

Education & Skills Champion Award, Sponsored by Orange- Lord Plumb of Coleshill

Health Champion Award, Sponsored by VELUX - Earl Howe

International Champion Award, Sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry - Laura Moffatt MP

Older People Champion Award, Jointly sponsored by Counsel and Care and Housing 21 - Sir George Young MP

Charity of the Year, Sponsored by the IET - Voluntary Services Overseas

Outstanding Achievement, Sponsored by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People - Lord Archer of Sandwell

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