A FORMER Newport man has won the backing of a Hollywood superstar's family for a long-running campaign.

Andy Tookey has battled for a number of years to reform the organ donor system in his adopted country of New Zealand.

He took up the fight after his daughter Katie, now aged five, was diagnosed with liver disease and was told she would one day need a transplant.

He was horrified to discover the low rate of donations in the country where he had emigrated with his wife and young family.

Mr Tookey has already received support from Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson for his Give Life campaign and now has the backing of another big name in the film world.

He said was in touch with the family of Robert Redford, who had a holiday home in New Zealand.

"His son James Redford required a liver transplant so they are familiar with organ donation James has set up an organ donation awareness institute in the US"

Meanwhile, Mr Tookey is due to make an oral submission to a government committee next week as it considers proposed new legislation designed to improve the New Zealand system.

He said he will be accompanied by Katie as he wanted the health select committee "to see the human cost."

They will also be presenting a petition in support of the bill.