Peter Andre has opened up about the death of his older brother Andrew, and has said that his latest fundraising efforts for Cancer Research UK have helped him in the healing process.
The television personality, who lost his brother to kidney cancer last December, has just launched his latest project, Pete's Champions, which encourages fans to raise as much money as possible for the charity.
"Honestly, the project has helped me so much," said Peter, speaking to HELLO! Online. "In coming to terms with what has happened, but also in helping other people.
"Andrew's death was devastating for my whole family but made me determined to help prevent other families from going through the same tragedy."
© Photo: Getty Images"Pete's Champions really is something special," he added. "What we're doing is we're asking people to raise money for Cancer Research UK, and to do something they want to do.
"Fans can get involved in a number of ways, by organising bake sales, taking part in sponsored runs or giving something up for a week. One of the most touching gestures the Australian star has received was from his fishmonger Darrell, whose family has also been affected by cancer.
"He told me he was going to row the Pacific," said Peter. "And I said to him, 'You don't need to go that far. You could just row the Thames from one side to the other.
' But he said, 'No, I'm going to do this.' Some people are just incredible."
© Photo: Getty ImagesPeter and his pregnant girlfriend Emily MacDonagh
Pete's Champions was launched on Monday and had such an overwhelmingly positive response of "champions" wanting to get involved that the Cancer Research UK site crashed.
"It was amazing," said Peter. "Cancer Research UK was panicking, but I said, 'This is brilliant. It means that it's of interest to everybody.
' But of course they wanted people to sign up and they didn't want the site to crash, so it was a bittersweet moment.
"Supporters will be rewarded for their efforts, and those that raise as much as £5,000 will get to meet the man himself in person and will be given a signed piece of merchandise, a thank you video message from Peter, a letter and Peter Andre Foundation wristband.
Funds raised will specifically go towards the charity's Cancer Awareness Roadshow, in which two buses in London and the North West will travel around the regions and deliver information about cancer to communities.
