The Harrow East MP has been awarded for his continuous support in helping a campaign of a four-year-old boy with a rare genetic disorder.

MP Bob Blackman received Anthony Nolan Political Supporter of the Year award at the Anthony Nolan awards yesterday (February 11).

His comes after helping the campaign of Veer Gudhk, aged 4, in Harrow who was faced with a rare and life-changing illness called Fanconi Anaemia.

The condition means that his bone marrow produces less blood cells, which leads to tiredness, the body more exposed to infections, and a high likelihood of developing a deadly blood cancer.

Mr Blackman promoted Veer’s case after an online meeting with his family and the Conservative Friends of India to discuss how stem cell registration for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups could be improved.

He has been pushing the Help Veer Now campaign to help diversify the stem cell registration from all ethnic groups.

Currently only 60 per cent of stem cell transplant recipients receive the best match, with someone of a BAME background having a 20 per cent chance of a match.

Talking on the meeting, he said: “I was pleased to learn how easy it is to join a stem cell register, it’s simply a matter of swabbing the inside of your cheek at home, and putting the swab pack in the post! If someone is found to be a lifesaving match, over 90 per cent of people donate their stem cells in much the same way as giving blood, without an operation.

“You just lie on a bed for up to five hours whilst stem cells are collected and red blood cells are then put back into your blood stream.

He continued: “Anthony Nolan is one of the UK’s stem cell registries and they told me that 95 potential lifesavers joined their register from Harrow East in the last year, with a total of 1,693 people now registered.

“Please do join a register today – it could mean a second chance of life for children like Veer, and that’s an amazing gift we could all have within us!”

In response to the award, the MP tweeted: “Extremely honoured to receive Political Supporter of the Year at the Anthony Nolan Awards. It has been most inspiring working with Veer and his family on the Help Veer Now campaign to diversify the stem cell register, so everyone can get the matching donor they need.”