The Sun has announced 12-year-old Louis Moss as a runner up in its Saffie Smile Awards to celebrate children who have gone above and beyond, in honour of Saffie-Rose Roussos – the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena terror attack.

Louis lost his hearing due to a hereditary condition and was fitted with cochlear implants aged seven. Learning to listen and speak with Auditory Verbal therapy, Louis has never let being deaf hold him back.

The  Saffie's Smile Award – created to celebrate the caring and fun-loving spirit of Saffie - recognises how Louis has gone above and beyond to challenge perception of what deaf children can achieve and ensure more deaf children have access to early, effective support and the opportunities he has had. Thanks to the early support with Auditory Verbal therapy, Louis graduated from charity Auditory Verbal UK’s family programme with spoken  skills ahead of hearing children his age. He attends a mainstream school, loves gaming, tennis, reading and playing with his friends. As well as challenging perceptions, he has campaigned to ensure more deaf babies and children have the opportunity to access Auditory Verbal therapy like he has had so they can thrive at school and beyond.

Louis has met Members of Parliament in the House of Commons sharing his  journey and showing  what is possible for deaf children with early support - busting out-dated myths that still persist. He has also been interviewed by the BBC to explain why he is campaigning and helped to increase understanding that is possible for dead children to learn to talk. In his own words Louis is helping challenge misconceptions people generally have about deaf people as well as boosting awareness of what is possible.

In February this year Louis met the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza,  at an event hosted by Auditory Verbal UK. Louis spoke about his own experiences and why for him Auditory Verbal therapy has transformed his life and why it isn’t fair that more deaf children don’t have the same opportunities he has had.

He told her: “Being deaf has never stopped me joining in with all the things my friends do. I’m in my first year at secondary school and it’s been brilliant to try different things and make new friends. I know this has been possible because of the Auditory Verbal therapy I had as a baby and it isn’t fair that more deaf children don’t have the opportunities I have had and will have as I grow up.”

The Children’s Commissioner then invited Louis to attend the launch of the ‘Big Ambition’ in Parliament which shared the views and experiences of children, including Louis, with those in Government.

Louis met Ministers and shadow ministers and asked them to take action to ensure more deaf children have access to the early support they need.

It is amazing that Louis’ efforts going above and beyond to champion deaf children and young people have been recognised in the Saffie Smile Awards.

Huge congratulations to Ruby, from St Blazey, Cornwall, who was chosen by the Roussos family as the first winner of the award and to all the other runners up.