A DAD-of-one who vowed to keep the legacy alive of Padgate teenager Jack Bellis has been honoured for his commitment to the cause.

AA patrol worker Tony Rich, of Hereford Close, Woolston, has received an international road safety award for a campaign he developed to remind drivers to complete a double-take for those on two wheels. 

The idea was born after the tragic death of a family friend Jack, 19, in a motorbike accident in October 2012. 

The 45-year-old said: "Jack parents are close friends of mine and my wife's.

"After Jack's death they were looking for anything positive to come out of this tragedy.

"I'm a great believer that when anything bad happens something good can come out of it."

Tony immediately started to come with ideas to make sure Jack was never forgotten.

He approached his employer for support and the campaign was launched with thanks to funding from the AA Charitable Trust, with the support of North-west sporting legends Chris Boardman and John McGuinness. 

Tony added: "Jack's legacy is global and it's unbelievable how far it has spread.

"He will never be forgotten."

Tony received the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Road Safety Award for the AA Think Bikes campaign at a star-studded event in Spain.

He added: “It was an amazing evening in Jerez and we really appreciated the support of Jorge Lorenzo and the other motorcycling world champions.

“Motorcyclists are disproportionately represented in casualty stats but they don’t just appear from nowhere.

"It’s alarming that failure to look has increased significantly in the last ten years.

"Drivers need to Think Bikes at all times; and the campaign helps reinforce awareness that the road is a shared space.

“It takes just a second to check your mirrors but the consequences of failing to do so can last a lifetime.

"If Jack’s legacy can save just one life, it will all be worthwhile.

“We would encourage all drivers to use the free stickers and do a double-take in their mirrors for cyclists and motorcyclists.”

Think Bikes stickers are available free of charge to organisations and individuals by emailing publicaffairs@theaa.com.