Huddersfield Daily Examiner journalist Adrian Sudbury died on 19 August, 2008, aged 27, after a public battle with leukaemia.

He was diagnosed with the disease in 2006 and chronicled his fight in his award-winning website Baldy’s Blog which won him an army of followers and fans around the world.

Adrian died with his family beside him at their home in Nottinghamshire.

His father Keith said: "Adrian died peacefully in his sleep. Every parent thinks their son or daughter is special and we are no different. Adrian touched all who knew him. We're very proud of all his achievements in, tragically, such a short time.."

In 2003, Adrian started his journalism career with the Express and Chronicle Series, in Holmfirth, before moving to the Examiner three years later where he eventually became a digital journalist.

He was diagnosed with leukaemia in November 2006, just days after starting his new job, after driving himself to hospital complaining of flu-like symptoms.

Doctors discovered he was suffering from two different strains of the disease running at the same time. According to medical literature, he was the only person in the world to have the condition.

He began chronicling his battle with the disease in his Baldy's Blog as a small project for the Examiner's website but it eventually took on a life of its own, winning him awards both at home and in America.

After a bone marrow transplant was rejected by his body, Adrian decided not to undergo any further chemotherapy, instead devoting his remaining months to raising awareness about bone marrow transplants.

He embarked on a concerted media campaign, hoping to make classes on blood, organ and bone marrow transplantation compulsory in all UK sixth form colleges.

His crusade brought him personal phone calls from the Prime Minister and a mention during Prime Minister's Questions as well as interviews on Five News, Radio 5 and Al Jazeera.

The Prime Minister led the tributes to Mr Sudbury. Mr Brown said: " Adrian Sudbury was a true hero whose selflessness and courage made him an inspiration to all who knew him and to many who didn't.

"Adrian's campaign to raise awareness about blood, bone marrow and organ donation has already attracted thousands of supporters, myself among them, and his memory will continue to inspire action for many years to come."

Sly Bailey, chief executive of the Examiner's parent company Trinity Mirror, said: "Adrian was a wonderful colleague and quite simply a brilliant journalist and we shall never forget him. His story has touched all of us at Trinity Mirror and won the hearts of the nation.

"He showed tremendous strength and courage throughout his illness to raise awareness of bone marrow donation and always conducted himself with dignity and good humour. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of this hugely inspirational young man."