A brave young father who lost his life to an aggressive cancer has inspired a bid to get a week-long blood donation drive set up in his memory.

Nicky Boardman, 34, chronicled his battle with the disease in a funny and courageous online diary, and helped raise awareness for the charity ellenor which supported him. Tragically, he lost his fight against the disease in March.

Now NHS Blood and Transplant has expressed its interest in establishing a Donate for Nicky week encouraging people to give blood – a cause which extended Nicky’s life by several months.

The passion Nicky, of The Bridge in Dartford, held for blood donations is testified in one of his blog posts.

It reads: “Have you ever given blood? Then you’re a hero. Much more so than I ever could be. I have no choice, going through this is pure survival instinct kicking in, but you, you’ve willingly and selflessly parted with an integral piece of you for the sake of a stranger, like me. You’re a hero.”

Michelle Laserna, a senior marketing co-ordinator for NHS Blood and Transplant, contacted the Messenger to express her interest in getting the idea off the ground, potentially making it an annual event if it gathered enough support.

Kerry Boardman, Nicky’s wife and mother to his four-year-old son, was pleased with the news.

She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled. Nicky benefited so much from blood transfusion and it was something he was really passionate about.

“There have been lots of people interested in the idea on Facebook so I think it could be really successful.”

The community is already holding a Big Lunch dedicated to the memory of Nicky next month at the Learning and Community Campus in The Bridge.

The 1940s-themed get-together will feature a table-top market, a cake bake-off competition, food and drink stalls, bouncy castles, an historical talk, live music and much more all to raise money for the hospice charity ellenor, formerly known as EllenorLions Hospices.

All are welcome between midday and 5pm on June 7.

Go to www.thebeaconchurch.co.uk for more.