Gordon Brown pays tribute to cancer blogger Adrian Sudbury

Adrian Sudbury, 27, from Sheffield, spent the final few months of his life petitioning MPs for better awareness of bone marrow donation.

Mr Sudbury, a reporter for the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, wrote a blog throughout his illness and was named multimedia journalist of the year at the Press Gazette Regional Press Awards earlier this year.

Award winner: Adrian Sudbury blogged about his fight with cancer and campaigned for bone marrow donations

The Prime Minister has led the tributes, saying Mr Sudbury was an 'inspiration to all who knew him and many who didn't'.

Mr Sudbury died early today with his family at his bedside at their home in Nottinghamshire.

He was diagnosed with two types of leukaemia in 2006 and, although he received a bone marrow transplant, it was not successful.

Mr Sudbury had waged a high-profile campaign for better education about bone marrow donation in schools and colleges - Sign Up For Sudders - and made regular appearances on TV and radio.

The Prime Minister said: 'His memory will continue to inspire action for many years to come.

'I spoke to Adrian last Wednesday and his campaigning spirit and his optimism remained undimmed.

'My thoughts are with his family at this time, and I know they will be proud that Adrian's achievements will continue to help others after he has gone.'

The journalist's parents Kay and Keith issued a statement today.

His father said: 'Adrian touched all who knew him. We're very proud of all his achievements in tragically such a short time.

'Kay and I hope that all Adrian's good work will be continued by all those who knew and loved him.'

Mr Sudbury collected 11,000 signatures online calling on schools and colleges to teach students about the value of donation.

Last month, he presented the petition to Downing Street, saying he hoped the campaign would be his 'lasting legacy'.

Mr Sudbury studied journalism in Sheffield and joined the Express and Chronicle Series in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, in 2003.

He moved to the Huddersfield Daily Examiner three years later - but became ill two days into his new job. In November 2006 he was put in charge of the paper's website.

Examiner editor Roy Wright described Mr Sudbury as 'our brave colleague'.

He said: 'It is terribly sad news - but what a legacy Adrian has left behind. He was the warmest, most affable and personable young man you could wish to meet and an example to us all.'

A private family funeral will be followed later by a service of remembrance at Sheffield Cathedral.

A spokeswoman for Macmillan Cancer Support said: 'Adrian did amazing work to highlight the devastating impact a cancer like leukaemia can have and why it is so important that more people sign the bone marrow register.'