A family that has raised almost £15,000 towards setting up a university scholarship in memory of their much-missed son have been nominated for Champion Team in this year's Your Champions awards.

Richard Pover was just 21 when he lost his battle with testicular cancer in June 2013.

He had been in the third year of a four-year MEng degree course in mechanical engineering at the University of Sheffield when he was diagnosed.

Despite high doses of chemotherapy, the cancer spread to his lungs and eventually his spine, which left him wheelchair dependent.

He then contracted an infection which weakened him until finally his body could fight no more.

The university awarded Richard a first class degree posthumously.

Richard’s love for his adopted city and his course inspired his family, who live in Tarporley, to create a lasting memorial to him which will also help others.

Richard Pover

The Richard Pover Outstanding Contribution Award will be a permanent endowment, open to all students within the University of Sheffield’s Department of Mechanical Engineering who have excelled in their extra-curricular activities and made an outstanding contribution, just as Richard did.

Richard’s mum Anne said: “Richard loved Sheffield, his course, the university and his friends. For this reason he kept his treatment in Sheffield, where his friends and university life undoubtedly helped him to maintain his astonishingly positive outlook and determination to carry on as normal.

“This would be an annual award to help the next generation of Sheffield engineers.

“The idea of an everlasting award in Richard’s memory gives us some comfort as we learn to accept the desperately sad loss of our wonderful, courageous and inspirational son.

“It’s a way to ensure that Richard is remembered but also it’s lovely that our friends are taking part in this tribute and that we want to reach anyone who’s had contact with Richard throughout his life and also the rest of us because it’s important to us all.”