THE life of Bob Woodward OBE will be celebrated at a service of thanksgiving tomorrow afternoon.

The service is being held at Bristol Cathedral tomorrow (Thursday, February 21) at 2.30pm.

Bob Woodward has been hailed a hero for his work in supporting families facing cancer.

He founded Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood (CLIC) after his son, Robert, was diagnosed with cancer.

He died on January 20, at the age of 85.

During his lifetime, he raised more than £100million for charity and had received many accolades for his work including a Pride of Britain award in 2011, an honorary degree from the University of Bristol and an OBE from the Queen.

Bob was born in 1933 in Bristol. After leaving school at the age of 14 he started work as a builder, joining forces with his brother to move into property development.

He was behind several developments in Wotton under Edge - the building of Parklands, Chipping Gardens and the re build of the east side of Market.

A chance visit to see the Roman pavement at Woodchester churchyard when it was briefly uncovered in 1973 inspired him and his brother to spend a decade making a replica.

The ambitious task required four tonnes of clay to make the 1.75 million individual stone cubes required for the mosaic.

Once completed the remarkable replica, known as the Orpheus Pavement, was initially exhibited in the Wotton Tabernacle as a tourist attraction.

His life changed forever when his son Robert was diagnosed with Leukemia in 1974. He founded the charity Cancer and Leukemia in Childhood (CLIC) and has raised over £100 million pounds for that charity.

After taking up a presidential role with CLIC in 1998 at the age of 65, Bob took on his second charitable role when he became the chief executive of The Starfish Trust. Based in Almondsbury, the organisation funds the care and support of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses and disabilities

He received worldwide recognition for his charity work from figures as diverse as Mikhail Gorbachev and the Duchess of Kent, and was selected as one of Great Western Railway’s 50 Great Westerners, with a train being named after him.

A fundraising page has been set up for anyone who would like to make a donation in Bob’s memory.

Money raised will be shared between CLIC Sargent and St Peter’s Hospice. Donations can be made via: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/rememberingbobwoodward