We need more heroes like Harry: Call to honour Great Barr man
A petition has been signed by more than 1,700 people calling for Barcelona hero Harry Athwal to be honoured.
Jose Antonio Martín Rosales wants Mr Athwal, from Great Barr, to be awarded a medal of civic merit from the Spanish government for his actions after the terror attack.
Mr Athwal, 44, cradled a young victim in the wake of the atrocity in Las Ramblas last week.
Last night the petition on the change.org website had been backed by 1,787 people.
It says the world needs 'more heroes like Harry'.
Mr Rosales, from Malaga, said: "I want to give Harry a medal of civil merit from the Spanish government for what he did.
"We need the support of all Britain and world people."
Father of one Mr Athwal ran to the scene of the terror attack from his hotel to help an injured young boy.
He saw bodies thrown into the air by the white van used by the terrorists and was sparked into action.
Mr Athwal is now back at home, after flying back to the UK on Monday night.
A translated statement on Mr Rosales' petition website says: "We need more heroes like Harry.
"Anonymous people who in moments of great tension and danger face to try to save the life of the rest. And we need those anonymous heroes to be recognized.
"That is why I urge you to sign this petition, to request the Government of Spain and the corresponding authorities to grant the Order of Civil Merit to Harry Athwal.
"The purpose of this award is to reward civil merits acquired by personnel who are dependent on one of the public administrations, or by persons outside the administration who provide or have rendered relevant services to the state, with extraordinary work, fruitful initiatives or exemplary proof in the fulfilment of their duties."
After helping the injured boy, Mr Athwal was ushered into a pharmacy where around 35 other people were inside, including his sister Kinde Dehl, who is from Birmingham.
They stayed in that building for five hours until police allowed them to leave.
