A Newham Recorder campaign calling for justice for victims of the contaminated blood scandal has been nominated for an award recognising the power of local newspapers to lobby for positive change.

Newham Recorder: Investigations reporter Emma Youle interviews senior sister Sheryl Sanderson at a blood donation session last year. Picture: Nigel SuttonInvestigations reporter Emma Youle interviews senior sister Sheryl Sanderson at a blood donation session last year. Picture: Nigel Sutton (Image: � Nigel Sutton email pictures@nigelsuttonphotography.com)

Over the last year this newspaper has reported on the stories of local people who were infected with HIV and hepatitis C (hep C) in the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.

They include East Ham merchant navy man Victor Farrugia and two of his brothers who lost their lives after being infected during treatment for the blood disorder haemophilia.

We have backed calls for a fairer system of support for the 7,500 people nationwide whose health has been ruined, and compensation for families of the 2,000 who have died.

Now our campaign has been shortlisted for a Making a Difference award at the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards, which will be decided by a public vote.

Newham Recorder: Angela Farrugia, sister of Victor Farrugia, first spoke out about the devastating impact of the blood scandal on her family in a series of reports in the Recorder last yearAngela Farrugia, sister of Victor Farrugia, first spoke out about the devastating impact of the blood scandal on her family in a series of reports in the Recorder last year (Image: Archant)

We are asking readers to support the Recorder by voting for us.

Victor’s nephew Tony Farrugia said: “Until recently most of the infected and their families hadn’t spoken out because of the stigma attached to HIV and hep C.

“With your help and great coverage more people have come forward and it’s very important we continue to raise awareness of what happened and the devastating effects it has had on thousands of haemophiliacs and their families.

“With continued press coverage we can only hope the government will finally bring closure to the victims they created.

“I would like to thank the Recorder and all the team who have been involved.”

The polls open today and the winner will be announced at the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards on Friday, 20 May.

To vote for the Recorder, visit localnewspaperweek.co.uk/Making-a-Difference

Click on the frontpage ‘I want justice for my brothers’ to vote for Archant Investigations Unit: Contaminated Blood Scandal.

Voting closes at 5pm on Wednesday, May 18.

Archant is the Newham Recorder’s parent company and coverage also ran across our sister titles in London, Kent, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.