LEDBURY'S veteran fund-raiser, the much-loved Doris Mitton, passed away peacefully at her home last week, on December 5.

Mrs Mitton, who was 97, was a charity fund-raiser for more than 50 years, including a quarter of a century at the British Red Cross Shop in New Street.

In a lifetime of helping others, she donated electric wheelchairs to two local boys suffering with muscular dystrophy and one to a disabled Ledbury lady. In the 1960’s, Mrs Mitton raised money to send a six year old boy to Lourdes but he died just before, so the money she raised, totalling £3,000, was donated towards the building of St Michaels Hospice.

Daughter, Kaye Fahey said: "Doris was always very caring to anyone, even people she had never met she would be there to give, or help them. Doris always had time to stop and chat. If she read in the paper of anyone, or Ledbury Hospital needing equipment such as beds, televisions for the wards, or defibrillators she would find an empty shop, hold a fundraising event or put her own money to provide them with it."

Mrs Mitton would even go out at 5am in the morning to weed and dig elderly people's gardens as a surprise.

Mrs Fahey added: "The family will miss her so much. She has always been there for us and also she gave so much to others. Doris’s sole aim in life was to help others."

In 2003, Mrs Mitton she was awarded a certificate from the town council in recognition of her many years of charity work. Her charity work also led to an invitation from the Queen to attend a Buckingham Palace garden party.