Shropshire Star

'We've lost our hero': Heartache as father who raised £500,000 for his little girl dies

A devoted father who raised £500,000 to ensure his little girl receives life-saving cancer treatment has died after battling a brain tumour for three years.

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Tom Attwater, who spent many years in Bridgnorth, captured the hearts of Shropshire Star readers by fighting his own ill health to ensure his step-daughter Kelli would receive pioneering medical care she might need.

The six-year-old endured childhood cancer neuroblastoma aged just three months and again aged three. Doctors predict that Kelli is likely to relapse.

Tom, aged 32, a former pupil at Bridgnorth Endowed School, swore he could not die in peace unless he knew he had done everything he could to ensure Kelli lived a long life.

Family man – Tom Attwater, 32, with his wife Joely and children Kelli and Fletcher

Sadly, he died yesterday at home in Pattingham, South Staffordshire, surrounded by the family he adored.

He is survived by his widow Joely, daughter Kelli and his much longed-for son Fletcher, who is nearly five months old.

Tom's heartbroken widow Joely, 28, said: "Tom gave me the happiest moments of my life and I am in indescribable pain now he has gone. I knew one day I would lose him but did not think it would be this soon.

Tom with Fletcher

"This is a very tough time for Kelli. We explained that daddy's 'naughty lump' in his head couldn't be cured and that one day he would go to heaven while she was still a child. That's why it meant so much to Tom to walk Kelli down the aisle at our wedding because he knew he wouldn't be there when she is a bride, and Kelli knew this. She will cherish that moment forever.

Father's love – Tom with Fletcher, who is five months old

"When Tom was in hospital and we found out that the time was getting close I gently explained to Kelli that daddy would have to leave us soon. It was the most difficult moment of my life. Kelli is a daddy's girl and she will struggle to adjust without her wonderful, loving father.

"Little Fletcher's face always lit up and showed a real look of love when he was in Tom's arms. We have hundreds of pictures of their time together and I am devastated that they will be all Fletcher has of the amazing man who was overjoyed to see him born.

"I will do my utmost to bring Fletcher up as a gentleman just like his dad.

"Tom has put cards, letters and presents away for every one of Kelli and Fletcher's birthdays.

"Tom was my hero. His drive to help Kelli astounded all who knew him. Despite his extreme fatigue and daily seizures, he got out of bed every day to help fundraise. He wanted me to know that although he wouldn't live to any age, Kelli would have the very best chance of life.

"Thank you to every single person who donated to Kelli's appeal. Once the target was reached, Tom was able to relax and enjoy time with his family. We have such precious memories of him and will miss him unbearably."

Businessman Tom received the bleak news of a cancerous mass in his brain, called an astrocytoma, in September 2012.

He remembered sitting on the kitchen worktop waiting for the kettle to boil for a cup of tea then waking up in a hospital bed.

Kelli and Fletcher share a moment

Scans showed he had a tumour covering 11 per cent of his brain. Tom said at the time: "I remember asking doctors if I had days, weeks, months or years to live and feeling I was trapped in a film.

"When I gradually absorbed the news that I was 29 and facing the inevitable, I felt shock, then anger, then disappointment that I hadn't yet given Kelli a little brother or sister."

But his overwhelming feeling was an urge to make the most of every day he had left with his family.

First on Tom's bucket list was raising the £500,000 for Kelli's Appeal.

He said then: "I can't just lie in bed feeling sorry for myself when there is so much more to be done to save Kelli.My own health is not my main concern because I have no chances left and Kelli does."

Joint second on Tom's bucket list was marrying Joely and having a child together.

Tom achieved his dream of becoming Joely's husband in April 2014 and on the same day Kelli Smith also became Kelli Attwater.

Tom feared his cancer treatment had destroyed his chances of having a child. So the morning Joely woke him with news she was pregnant was the happiest moment of his life.

Tom said at the news: "I cried and pretty much cried for the entire next day, maybe even two days.

"It's the best news I've ever had. Having a child and making Kelli a big sister completes our family."

Tom with Kelli

Tom's health deteriorated just before Fletcher was born on May 22 but he was able to support Joely through her 11-hour labour.

Donations flooded in for Tom's charity fund when he shared his moving letter of life advice for Kelli in February last year.

His parents Sue and Tony Attwater spoke of their pride in Tom.

"He worked hard and played hard but family always came first," said Mrs Attwater.

"He always told Kelli never to give up on anything but unfortunately this was one fight he could never win."

His father added:" We are so proud that despite his illness he managed to raise all that money for the Kelli appeal. We will miss him so much. His personality filled the room."

Joely has set up a memorial fund in Tom's name for Brain Tumour Research. It can be found at www.justgiving.com/tomattwatermemorialfund

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