A supportive police officer and a caring friend have been named CPA Heroes for going above and beyond to support parents in need.

We asked for nominations for the awards – which could be a professional the family had come into contact with or a friend, neighbour or colleague.

The only criteria was that the person had to have made a difference to someone who was experiencing Child to Parent Abuse, which impacts upwards of 3% of UK households but remains a fairly hidden form of domestic abuse.

The winners can now be revealed as PC Megan Smith from North Yorkshire Police Force and Kerry Smith from Darlington.

Michelle John, Founding Director of PEGS, said: “The idea behind the awards was to acknowledge the amazing people out there who are going above and beyond to support parents impacted by CPA. This could either be within a personal capacity as a neighbour, friend or family member, or as a professional who’d come into contact with that parent in the course of their work.

“The nominations were truly heart-warming and inspiring, and showed just how much of a difference having a ‘CPA Hero’ in their life can make to parents going through such an extremely difficult time.

“We are so thrilled to announce Megan and Kerry as our very first CPA Heroes. They’re extremely worthy winners, as their nominations show, and we hope they are incredibly proud of the difference they have made in the lives of those who nominated them.”

The parent who nominated PC Smith said: “Megan has been extremely supportive: after many months of fighting for support for my son, numerous meetings with professionals and extensive waiting lists, I was feeling completely let down. My mental health was affected and I could not see any light at the end of the tunnel.

“One night, the police were called due to one of my son’s violent meltdowns. Megan and her colleague attended, they took the time to speak to me, my son and also my daughter. There are then, Megan gave me her word she would try her utmost to get more support in place for me and my family.

“The proactive, supportive and empathetic approach she has shown is absolutely incredible and beyond words. Multi-agency meetings have taken place with urgency and I feel our worries as a family are finally being taken seriously with no judgement. PC Megan Smith is truly a CPA Hero!”

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker of North Yorkshire Police added: “We are delighted that Megan’s work has been recognised by PEGS.

“The awards provide an opportunity to shine a light on a side of police work that goes on behind the scenes, but is rarely seen in the public domain.

“Megan has demonstrated compassion, empathy and understanding of a difficult and sensitive situation and ensured the family got the positive help they needed. She is a credit to North Yorkshire Police.”

And the parent who nominated Kerry Smith said she had ‘been there throughout the whole time that our family has been surviving CPA’ including late-night phone calls, helping them to move house, and helping tidy up after property had been damaged in the home by her friend’s son.

“She’s never judged, always supported, and I don’t know what I’d have done without her. She was amazing, calm and strong when I wasn’t. I will never ever be able to thank her for the things she’s knowingly and unknowingly done for us.

“She’s truly inspirational, kind and selfless. No judgement has been made and I know she’ll be there to support us as we rebuild some kind of life.”

Huge congratulations to both winners!