They held boxes bearing the number 177,581 and the face of a little boy. That innocent, carefree child - lost in unthinkable circumstances in modern Greater Manchester - has come to represent a powerful force for change.
A staggering number of Manchester Evening News readers have signed a petition in Awaab Ishak's name. Every one of the 177,581 people who backed our campaign - in conjunction with Shelter - at Change.org demanded that no other child die because of mould in their home.
The message was resoundingly clear, the need for urgent action even clearer.
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Today was historic. That petition - in print, carried in three boxes - was handed in at Number 10 Downing Street by the toddler's father Faisal Abdullah.
He was joined by some of those who have supported his grieving family during their fight to carve out a legacy in Awaab's name. A short while later, members of the House of Lords approved amendments to a Bill setting out Awaab's Law. It was a momentous achievement for the campaign.
The Social Housing (Regulation) Bill will now go for Royal Assent, when the Bill is formally agreed by the King. Awaab's Law is set to become a reality.
Once on the statute book, it will mean social landlords will face strict time limits to inspect and repair damp and mould. Those timeframes will be consulted on later this year. Other measures include Ofsted-style inspections for housing associations; and the requirement for management of social landlords to have professional qualifications.
Two-year-old Awaab died following prolonged exposure to mould in a social housing flat on Rochdale's Freehold estate in December 2020. More than 18 months after his death, the M.E.N. revealed other families were still living in similar conditions on the same estate.
The scandal saw bosses held to account - and their chief executive step down - as it sent shockwaves through the social housing sector. The coroner who oversaw an inquest into the tragic case, Joanne Kearsley, asked the question on many people's minds.
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"I'm sure I am not alone in asking - how does this happen?," she said. "How, in the UK in 2020, does a two-year-old child die from exposure to mould in his home?"
Ms Kearsley said the case should be a 'defining moment' for the housing sector. That moment is now.
It was emotional day in Westminster after months of hard work. Tributes were paid to campaigners at Grenfell United, who have pushed tirelessly to drive up standards in social housing since the 2017 tragedy, as well as Awaab's family.
As the M.E.N. watched proceedings in the Lords from the public gallery alongside Mr Abdullah, there was a poignant silence as Awaab's legacy in law was finally cemented.
Presenting the Bill to the Lords, Baroness Scott of Bybrook said: "The need to drive up the quality of social housing and rebalance the relationship between tenants and landlords was also thrown into sharp relief by the tragic death of Awaab Ishak.
"I know that Awaab's father is watching today and I know that I speak for all of us when I say that my thoughts remain with the Ishak family. I would like to thank the family, alongside Shelter and the Manchester Evening News, for their steadfast campaigning on Awaab's Law.
"This law will make a real difference to people's lives, and I hope that brings some degree of comfort to all of those who knew and who loved Awaab."
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The M.E.N. joined Mr Abdullah along with family friend Fasil Farooq;, barrister Christian Weaver; and solicitor Kelly Darlington as the petition was delivered - along with staff from Change.org, Shelter and Rebecca Long-Bailey MP.
Mr Weaver said: "Over 177,000 of you - members of the public - signed the petition calling for, among other things, strict time limits for landlords to inspect and repair damp and mould in people’s homes. For that we can’t thank you enough.
"We hope that today can help deliver improvements for those in social housing."
Lord Bradley, former Manchester Withington MP, told the M.E.N. how the 'appalling conditions' Awaab and his family faced created a 'dreadful situation'. "Clearly this is unacceptable," he added.
"People have the right to safe and healthy housing and I hope that the new regulations will force registered landlords to act to ensure all their properties are of a decent standard." In the Lords, members who spoke gave their backing to the Awaab's Law amendment.
Lord Best described the 'tragic consequences' that come if social landlords are 'not on top of' damp and mould. Baroness Pinnock added: "Awaab Ishak, whose death was caused by appallingly damp and mouldy conditions in the flat where he and his family lived.
"The response of the social housing landlord was shockingly neglectful - and as it turned out, fatally neglectful for young Awaab." There were hugs outside the public gallery as the joy of changing the law was met with a tragic reminder of the grief Awaab's death caused.
It was a scandal that should have never happened. But now, thanks to overwhelming support from thousands who simply couldn't be ignored by lawmakers, a legacy has been secured for little Awaab.
