A barrister who dedicated the last eight years to ending slavery and trafficking has been recognised with a British Citizen Award (BCA).

In its second year, The British Citizen Awards recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on society and ‘everyday’ people whose achievements may have been overlooked.

At a time when he was battling cancer for the second time, James Ewins, 42, from Battersea attended an anti-trafficking event and his passion for ending slavery stemmed from there.

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Mr Ewins said: "It made me realise there is an urgency to doing things in life and you can’t wait for things to happen.

"It gave me a desire to seize the moment."

Mr Ewins fought confectionery giant Cadbury for two years, with the help of Stop the Traffik, to turn the company into a fair trade supplier and was successful in 2009.

He gathered every Cadbury product in his home, sent them to the company and explained he would no longer be eating their chocolate until they took adequate steps to ensure the fair treatment of workers, especially children, in their supply chain.

He said: "There are days that I call ‘Die Happy days’, like when the modern slavery bill came through and I think, if I got knocked down by a bus now, I would die happy."

In 2007, Mr Ewins convinced his local church, St Mark’s Church in Battersea, to sponsor over 200 at-risk children in the developing world through the charity Compassion UK.

Terry Tennens, CEO at International Justice Mission UK, nominated Mr Ewins for a BCA.

Mr Tennens said that, while working at the NGO, Mr Ewins has rescued hundreds of people from slavery and forced labour.

"He is a very humble, focused and charming individual, and a very good friend.

"I really do respect him, as he is extraordinary and I am delighted he has been recognised for everything he has been involved in.