A 22-month-old girl has won a national Tommy’s award after overcoming the toughest of starts in life when she was born at just 26 weeks.

Sofia-Hope Hogan's mother Keleigh Watson had a difficult pregnancy from the start, and at one point doctors thought she had miscarried - but the 24-year-old had an instinct that her baby would survive.

But Sofia spent 109 days in Northwick Park hospital after she was born after just 26 weeks on April 22, 2013 weighing only 900g.

Two days later doctors found she had two severe bleeds on her brain and her parents were warned she might not live through the next hour.

Despite making a recovery, Sofia was later diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and Miss Watson was warned her daughter might not ever be able to walk, talk or smile.

But the beaming toddler has defied all expectations and has come off oxygen, smiles regularly, and even started shuffling for a short time.

Harrow Times:

Miss Watson said: “Sofia does things smiling despite all her problems and that’s what I love most about her. Her local A&E adore her, she is the happiest baby. She can use her right arm and she does things ‘the Sofia way’.

“When she first started to say mum I cried and now she’s started to say dad, which is an amazing feeling. She is a real-life miracle and she’s my hero.

“It was difficult pregnancy, but throughout all of it, I had this instinct that she would survive. Now I just want to support her to reach her maximum potential.”

Miss Watson nominated Sofia for children's charity Tommy's Little Angels Little Champion Award – which recognises courage shown by premature children who overcome the odds, but says she is astounded that her youngest daughter has now been declared the winner.

The 24-year-old, who is now Sofia’s full time carer, added: “I couldn’t be more proud of her. Sofia does things smiling despite all her problems and that’s what I love. She is a real-life miracle and she’s my hero.”

On Friday, March 20, Tommy’s supporter Sarah Cawood and Lauren Venters, from award sponsors Asda, presented Sofia-Hope with the Little Angels Little Champion Award at the Landmark London hotel.

Jane Brewin, chief executive of Tommy’s, said: “Sofia-Hope and her family have faced many setbacks and to hear what Sofia-Hope has achieved is nothing short of incredible. We are absolutely delighted to present her with the Little Angels Little Champion Award.”