A weekly newspaper’s bid to help a child with a brain tumour has been voted the best local news campaign of the past year.

The Reading Chronicle has triumphed in the local category of the Making a Difference award for its ‘Help Save Charlie’ campaign.

The campaign was launched to raise awareness of the devastating impact of Charlie Ilsley’s battle with medulloblastoma, a high-grade brain tumour which he had been diagnosed with at aged eight and which claimed his life aged 13.

The paper dedicated coverage to Charlie’s story, advocating the need for better treatments in the UK and pushed for fundraising for Charlie’s cause, which ultimately saw thousands of pounds raised.

The Sun’s Green Week campaign won the national category.

Owen Meredith, chief executive of awards organiser the News Media Association, said: “Huge congratulations to both The Sun and the Reading Chronicle for their winning campaigns this year.

“There was an exceptionally high standard of entries, showcasing British journalism’s prowess in campaigning for positive change.

“The Help Save Charlie and Green Week campaigns are brilliant examples of the vital importance of journalism as a powerful platform for informing and engaging the public, as well as for fundraising and shining a spotlight on important causes.

“Both these worthy winners exemplify the Making a Difference Award – to highlight the importance of trusted and quality journalism produced by the news media industry.”

The Chronicle’s win comes as editor Andrew Colley prepares to take up the reins at its Newsquest sister daily the Oxford Mail.