A campaign backed by a regional daily to combat skin cancer has now raised more than £100,000 following the death of the broadcast journalist who launched it.

The Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Appeal was started by the radio presenter of the same name with support from the Derby Telegraph and BBC Radio Derby, where he worked.

The appeal, which is raising funds to provide sun protection to schools, initially aimed to raise £45,000 but hit this within six weeks and then increased the target to£75,000.

Colin, pictured above, lost his long battle with malignant melonoma last month at the age of 33 and since then donations have passed the £100,000 mark. His funeral was held yesterday in his home town of Shrewsbury.

Derby Telegraph editor Neil White told HTFP: “When we first began the Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Campaign, Colin was still alive and played an active part in its promotion.

“Today I have been at his funeral which was, of course, a sad occasion but the glint of light is the legacy of the campaign.

“The fact that it has raised so much money to help keep Derbyshire and East Staffordshire’s children safe from the sun is a wonderful tribute to a great guy.”

The money raised by Colin’s appeal will be used to provide sun cream and UV monitors to up to 200 primary schools in Derbyshire and East Staffordshire through skin cancer charity Skcin, which operates the Sun Safe Schools project.

So far, 187 schools have signed up to the scheme, meaning it will reach 38,823 pupils, educating them about the importance of staying safe in the sun.

Further fundraising events for the appeal will take place in the coming months, boosting the total further, and plans are being drawn up for using the additional funds.