A BOROUGH support group set up to help families of premature babies has scooped a top national award.

Dudley Borough Bliss Family Group has won the Bliss annual Support Group of the Year award at the Mother & Baby Big Heart Awards.

Mums Joanne Weston from Stourbridge and Christina Nicholls from Brierley Hill, who founded the group in 2009, and parent turned Bliss volunteer and group organiser Rebecca Cottingham from Pensnett were presented with the award at a ceremony at the Park Lane Hilton, London, on Monday January 16.

Andy Cole, chief executive of special care baby charity Bliss, congratulated the group and described the organisers as “very deserving winners who are helping families of premature and sick babies in their local area”.

He added: “Their dedication to Bliss and to helping these families has exceeded our expectations and their support has been outstanding.”

The group, the only one of its kind in the Black Country to offer support to borough families with premature babies, meets once a month at Stourbridge Children’s Centre for children to play together while parents chat and share experiences.

It also organises fundraisers, family fun activities and day trips for parents and carers whose little ones range from newborns to primary school age youngsters.

The group is also part of Dudley’s Children, Young People and Families Network and members attend meetings at Russell’s Hall Hospital to contribute parent’s perspectives on neonatal and pediatric care.

For more information about the group call 07815 454457, visit www.dudleybliss.org or search for Dudley Bliss on Facebook.