Paul and Michael are top dads

Paul and Michael Atwal-Brice received an honorary gong in the first ever Fatherhood Awards, which recognised dads who have “illuminated the way for other current and future fathers”.

The couple, who live in Thurnscoe, have four sons — two of whom, Levis and Lucas, have autism and epilepsy.

As well as working with children’s and disabled charities, the Atwal-Brices are also active campaigners on LGBTQ+ issues, adoption and fostering.

Michael said: “To win an honorary award was so special to us after almost two decades of fighting for disabled children’s rights, fostering dozens of children, alongside our own children, and being ambassadors for the national charities Caudwell children charity and My AFK.

“All our work over the years was put into a montage on screen and it was an emotional but amazing feeling (to watch it).

“We are so proud of everything we have achieved, from securing Levi cannabis treatments for his life-threatening epilepsy to contributing to helping raise thousands of pounds of funding for national campaigns and helping other parents in the same or similar situations find the right help and support.”

Other winners at the London ceremony on Saturday included online forum Dadsnet — which hosts Paul and Michael’s Diffability podcast — and chart-topper Ladbaby.