A HEATON man who leads a charity which has directly helped more than 2,000 children has collected a special award.

Mayoor Patel, aged 56, was given a British Citizen Award last year and has now received it at a ceremony in London.

Mr Patel and his older brother Arun Patel founded the Polio Children charity after visiting a school for children affected by polio in India.

He has also been involved in the OKAS Fund, which helps disadvantaged students in Uganda, and Little Drops Shravana, which provides a free service for hearing impaired children in India.

He received a BCA medal and a certificate at ceremonies at Westminster Palace and Church House in London, which were presented by Lonnie Mayne from American company In Moment, Liberal Democrat Lord Navnit Dholakia and TV star Larry Lamb.