MILLIONS watched as a couple who set up a North Waltham holiday home for families of seriously-ill children received an award from the Prime Minister.

At the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, broadcast on ITV1 on Tuesday night, Jane and Michael Gates were presented with a Special Recognition Award by David Cameron, who praised them for their dedication and hard work.

The couple, of Binfield, Berkshire, were at the glitzy ceremony, recorded at London’s Grosvenor house on Monday, along with Prince Charles and other famous faces including Olympians Tom Daley and Denise Lewis, politicians including Ed Miliband and the cast of Downton Abbey. The event was hosted by Carol Vorderman.

About 4.5million people watched Jane and Michael receive their award from the Prime Minister on Tuesday evening, when the show was broadcast on ITV.

They set up charity Sebastian’s Action Trust after their son Sebastian was diagnosed with a Wilm’s tumour in 2001 at the age of seven.

He told his parents of his dream for a holiday home for very ill children and their families just before he died in 2003, and after years of fundraising Jane 49, and Michael, 53, finally fulfilled his dying wish by opening The Bluebells last year.

They had raised £850,000.

Jane, who is director of Sebastian’s Action Trust, said: “We are extremely honoured to have received this Special Recognition Award which we accepted in Sebastian’s memory and on behalf of everyone at Sebastian’s Action Trust.

“We hope the recognition that comes with it will encourage many more individuals, groups, companies and organisations to support The Bluebells and the work of our charity.”

Sebastian’s father Michael, a fraud investigator, added: “I know that our son would be very touched and that his positive attitude and ability to think of others is at the forefront of everything Sebastian’s Action Trust achieves.”

The home, which has since helped more than 100 families, is the UK’s first purpose-built holiday respite home.