A Mill Hill woman went to Westminster to receive recognition of her years of work on behalf of those in agony with long-term illnesses.

Jean Gaffin, of Hammers Lane, was presented with the Pain UK Pain Champion Award yesterday.

Mrs Gaffin was given the award by Pain UK and the Chronic Pain Policy Coalition in recognition of her years of campaigning for better care and support for people living with debilitating illnesses.

Barry Sheerman MP, who presented the award, said: “Having known and worked with Jean for nearly 30 years now, I know how deserving she is of this award.

“For decades she has worked tirelessly to campaign on vital issues in public policy and her campaigning for better treatment of pain and support for those suffering it, has been crucial in improving the lives of so many people living with chronic pain.

“I cannot think of anyone who deserves this award more.”

Through her work with Arthritis Care and the British Pain Society, Mrs Gaffin has spent many years highlighting the impact of chronic pain and campaigning for improved services.

She said she was “proud and humbled” to receive the award, and called upon “people and organisations to continue to work together” to ensure the treatment and care of chronic pain was improved across healthcare services.

Chronic pain - defined as persisting beyond the normal time of healing - affects 14 million across the UK, with almost one in four admitting pain had kept them from usual activities on at least 14 days in the last three months.

It is estimated that pain has become the second most common reason given for claiming incapacity benefit, with £3.8 billion spent every year on incapacity benefit for those suffering its effects.

The event was hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Chronic Pain, a cross-party group of MPs and Peers with an interest in chronic pain and its associated conditions.