AN UNSUNG hero who raised enough money for 127 cancer patients to receive support from a Macmillan cancer support nurse after his father’s untimely death is the regional winner of the Pride Of Britain Awards.

Alex Hutchings was crowned the ITV West Country (East) regional winner last week and is now a finalist for the ITV Fundraiser Award at this year’s Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain Awards.

“It’s absolutely amazing, it was such a surprise,” he said. “We were called in for an interview at the ITV studios in Bristol when they announced that I was the regional winner.”

The 40-year-old, of Lawn, cared for his father Graham in the final weeks before he died in 2012.

It motivated him to raise money to pay for a Macmillan cancer support nurse for a year so other families wouldn’t have to go through cancer alone.

He turned to the boating community to help and raised money by organising charity boat trips around the Isle of Wight as well as auctioning off an old rigid-hulled inflatable boat which was restored with donated parts and labour.

In the three years since his father’s death Alex has raised more than £56,000 which provides the support of a Macmillan nurse for a year to 127 cancer patients.

“Instead of sitting there getting over my dad I got up and decided to fundraise,” he said.

“I have always liked to help people and have always wanted to do some work for a charity, but it wasn’t until I just jumped up and and set my head above the parapet and said this is what we’re going to do that I found people supporting me.

“I wanted to do something to help people It has taken three years and funding a nurse for a year is all I have thought about.”

The judging panel said: “Alex inspired other people in the boating world to take up his campaign.

“It all started with an emotional fall-out from his Dad’s death to cancer.

“It was down to Alex’s drive and charisma and his love for his father that made this all possible.”

Alex is one of 17 regional winners. The national winner will be announced on September 28.