An educational campaign launched by a regional press journalist before he died from leukaemia has received a massive boost from the government.

Huddersfield Daily Examiner reporter Adrian Sudbury, who passed away last August after battling the disease for nearly two years, wanted to increase awareness of blood, organ and bone marrow donation.

Since his death, a pilot scheme has seen 75 volunteers trained in giving talks to over 3,000 sixth form students in Bristol and his native South Yorkshire but the government has now announced it will fund the project nationwide.

Children’s secretary Ed Balls MP was visiting Barnsley College to see one of the talks in action when he made the unexpected announcement.

Adrian’s father Keith told the Examiner: “I always thought we’d get a meeting with Mr Balls but I didn’t expect him to be as positive and committed.

“He made it very clear that he was touched by Adrian and his desire to make his campaign a reality.

“He was so impressed about how positive it was and said it was clear this was the way to get people to donate and save lives.

“He said because the evidence was so compelling he would do everything in his power to support it and fund it correctly.

“Adrian’s idea was simply that students be told the facts. He was embarrassed that he never signed up to the bone marrow register because he believed all the myths about breaking your spine open and so on.

“It’s been a big, big team effort and we’re very grateful for all the support the Examiner has given us.”