Phoenix Pearman appears in film produced by Brain Tumour Research to promote Wear A Hat Day after his dad Ross died of a brain tumour

Eight-year-old Phoenix Pearman appears in a heart-rending film produced by Brain Tumour Research to promote Wear A Hat Day, held every year to fund research into the devastating disease.

Phoenix, of Verne Close in Whiteley, talks movingly about his father Ross, who died three years ago aged 35.

“He had a brain tumour and they couldn't get it out of his head. I feel bad and I wish I had him back,” he says.

The schoolboy describes their shared love of Arsenal FC and also recites a poem written by Ross in which the doting dad tells him: “You are our most precious gift.”

His mother Amanda, a 39-year-old district nurse, said: “I'm very proud of Phoenix, who has done this for Ross.

“Life without Ross is a very lonely place. We have just marked the third anniversary of his passing and there's always a sense that someone is missing, especially at Christmas and other family events.

“Phoenix misses his father very much.

“He's now at the age when his friends talk about the things they're doing with their dads. I feel very sad for him and his baby brother Xavier.”

Amanda said her husband was diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumour in 2007.

Calling for more money to be spent on research she added: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer and yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to this devastating disease.”

Ross Pearman, right, with his wife Amanda - Phoenix's mum

In the video, Phoenix wears a pink top hat to promote Wear A Hat Day, which takes place on Friday.

Sue Farrington Smith, the chief executive of Brain Tumour Research, said: “Wearing a hat for the day is a simple and fun way of raising awareness and money. It also sends a message of hope, solidarity and support for families like Amanda, Phoenix and Xavier.

“We're striving to fund a network of seven research centres while challenging the Government and larger cancer charities to invest in brain tumour research.”