Hundreds back bid in memory of father who died after raising £500,000 for daughter's treatment

Mr Attwater raised £500,000 for his daughter's medical care while fighting his own cancer battle.

More than 1,200 people have joined a new Facebook group set up to promote the Pride of Britain appeal in its first 12 hours.

Lee Ellis, from St Georges, Telford, who set up the campaign also said he has heard from the Daily Mirror to say that the campaign will now be discussed by a panel of experts who decide the recipients.

The 33-year-old teacher said: "It has just gone crazy. It is absolutely amazing, to be honest when I first thought of it, I thought I'll nominate him and get my wife to nominate and keep it small.

"But to be honest, I'm not one to do things in small measures to I thought let's go all or nothing and see what happens."

Mr Attwater, 32, died in September after spending three years battling a brain tumour.

Mr Ellis met him during his fundraising drive and said he saw him as a "mentor" which is what drove him to launch his campaign.

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 at three and Tom raised thousands of pounds for her to have pioneering treatment.

Tom's widow, Joely Attwater, 28, who is mother of Kelli and the couple's 11-month-old son Fletcher, has also joined the campaign and said she was "overwhelmed" by the nominations Tom had received.

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

Joely is to take part in the Great Midlands Fun Run at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, on June 5 in Tom's memory.

She said: "Tom left behind a huge legacy and I am so proud of all he achieved during his short life.

"I only hope that I can make him proud by helping to raise as much money possible for Brain Tumour Research."

To sponsor her go to www.justgiving.com/JoelyattwaterGMFR2016