Express & Star

Campaign to honour father who died after raising £500k for daughter's treatment

A campaign has been launched to honour the devoted father who raised £500,000 for his daughter's medical care while fighting his own cancer battle.

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Tom Attwater, 32, died in September after spending three years battling a brain tumour. A friend he met during his fundraising drive is now hoping to have him honoured with a Pride Of Britain Award.

A former pupil at Bridgnorth Endowed School, Mr Attwater captured the hearts of Express & Star readers by fighting his own ill-health to ensure his step-daughter Kelli, seven, would receive pioneering medical care she might need.

The youngster endured childhood cancer neuroblastoma aged just three months and again aged three and Tom raised thousands of pounds for her to have pioneering treatment.

Now, one man who helped him reach his target has launched his own campaign to see Tom, who lived in Pattingham, recognised for his bravery.

Lee Ellis, from St Georges in Telford, said he was inspired to get in contact with Tom after seeing him campaigning for Kelli.

The 33-year-old teacher said: "I saw the story and I have a niece about the same age as Kelli. I found him on Facebook and we started chatting straight away."

Mr Ellis went on to help with the appeal for Kelli, raising about £3,500.

Tom's widow, Joely Attwater, 28, mother of Kelli and the couple's 11-month-old son Fletcher, said: "I was contacted by Lee and I was very overwhelmed by his very kind gesture of nominating Tom."

Joely is to take part in the Great Midlands Fun Run at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield on Sunday, June 5 in his memory to raise money for Brain Tumour Research. To sponsor her go to www.justgiving.com/JoelyattwaterGMFR2016

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