Shropshire 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 Shropshire 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, 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 through a friend who went to school with him and we started chatting straight away."

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

He said: "Tom became my mentor and was always on hand to give me advice and we laughed and joked over messages.

"His courage and selfless act regularly had me in tears and spurred me and thousands of other fundraisers to raise money for Kelli and probably more money for other charities since.

"Tom didn't just raise £500,000, secure his daughter's future, he also inspired millions of people all over the world to be strong no matter what and fight till the end."

Mr Ellis added: "I am begging for The Pride Of Britain Awards to recognise this great man and honour his memory with an award. The world is a better place because of him."

Tom's mother, Sue Attwater said: "Tom certainly was an inspiration and despite his illness, which left him very weak and tired, he battled on to raise the money to secure Kelli's future.

"We were, and are, incredibly proud of him. He more than deserves this award."

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

"Tom was and will always be my hero and a hero to our children. I guess at the moment, during my difficult adjustment period without him, I don't always see how much he had inspired other people with his courage and strength, so it is absolutely heart warming to be told what an inspiration Tom was to many people.

"Just the fact that people want to nominate my wonderful husband means the world to us all."

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

Mr Ellis has submitted an application for Tom, and is encouraging other people to visit the Pride of Britain Awards and do the same. Anyone wishing to do so should provide Mr Ellis' email address lee_ellis82@hotmail.co.uk as a contact.

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