A former regional daily journalist who set up a campaigning magazine for disabled people has been shortlisted for an award.

Tom Dowling was left paralysed from the chest down and using a wheelchair at the age of 20 after he and a group of friends were attacked by robbers in Iran, when he was shot in the back.

After a spell working for the Liverpool Echo, he set up All Together NOW!, a bi-monthly magazine to provide news and information to those with disabilities.

Now he has fought off national competition to be named among the 25 semi-finalists in the Barclays Trading Places Awards, which recognises individuals who have overcome obstacles to run successful businesses.

Steve Cooper, chair of the judging panel and managing director of Barclays Business, said: “The calibre of this year’s entries is outstanding and we hope that with this recognition, All Together NOW! will continue on the road to success.”

The 25 semi-finalists will compete to be named one of 10 national finalists next month and be in with a chance of winning a share of £50,000-worth of cash and prizes.

After Tom was paralysed, he gained a job as a journalist at the Echo, which included writing a column on disability issues, called ‘I Can Do That’.