Campaigning journalist Adrian Sudbury has won a posthumous award.

The Huddersfield Daily Examiner digital journalist, who died in August after battling leukaemia for almost two years, was crowned the winner of the Richard Whiteley Special Award.

The prize, named after the popular Countdown presenter, was picked up by his parents Keith and Kay at the Yorkshire Awards – a scheme celebrating people who’ve had an impact on the county.

During the 27-year-old’s final months he campaigned for compulsory bone marrow, blood and organ donation classes to be included on the national curriculum for sixth form students.

Previous winners of the award include PC Sharon Beshenivsky, the officer shot dead while on duty in Bradford, and cancer charity fundraiser Jane Tomlinson.

Last week his memorial service, which was streamed live on the Examiner’s website, featured tributes from Gordon Brown and broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky, as well as a personal message from Adrian, read out by the chaplain.

Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of the awards committee, said: “This award acknowledges remarkable commitment in the face of unbelievable adversity.

“A young man who made an incredible impact while he knew he was dying.

“He made all of us think about how inadequate we feel at times and yet he went to Gordon Brown to talk passionately about his cause.”

Examiner editor Roy Wright said there was no finer example of inspiration than Adrian.