TRIBUTES have been paid to an 'inspirational' fundraising hero from Otley who has died, aged 84.

Vic Heffer, the founder of the Otley Area Friends group for Martin House Children's Hospice, passed away last Tuesday, May 10.

Under Mr Heffer's leadership the group smashed through the £100,000 collection barrier in 2014 - and has now generated £120,000 for the hospice.

He and his wife, Liz, started up the Otley outfit some 11 years ago although their support for Martin House began long before that, after the couple had retired from the hotel trade.

Mrs Heffer, who like Vic is a Community Ambassador for the charity, said: "We were passing a Martin House Children's Hospice in Headingley and, never having heard of the charity before, went in to find out more.

"We asked what it was all about and came away quite impressed."

Living in Bramhope at the time, they became increasingly interested in the work Martin House does for young people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

That interest stepped up a gear after the couple moved to Otley 18 years ago.

Mrs Heffer said: "We went to Martin House's open day and gradually became more and more interested in all the great work they do, and eventually thought 'let's go for it and try to start a group up in Otley'.

"The group started in about 2005 and it just grew from there."

Mr Heffer handed over his leadership role some 16 months ago, due to ill health, but continued to fundraise - holding his final car boot sale for the hospice less than a fortnight ago.

Mrs Heffer said: "He got a lot of pleasure and enjoyment from holding the sales and collecting, and from banking the money and seeing it go into the hospice's account.

"If he hadn't had the friends group I feel he wouldn't have been the happy man that he continued to be - it was his raison d'etre.

"Our house became a bit of a depository for people to drop off things off for the hospice's shops, and Vic became known as almost 'Mr Martin House' in Otley!

"People have been so kind and generous over the past week, and saying the most wonderful things about him - our house is full of cards and flowers."

Martin House's Community Fundraiser for West Yorkshire, Sarah Tarpey, said: "Many years ago Vic responded to an appeal for support in Otley following an article in the local press by our Head of Fundraising.

"Together with his wife, Liz, he threw himself into fundraising and over the years the Otley Friends have raised huge sums for Martin House - now totalling in the region of £120,000.

"His regular attendances at local events with his fundraising bucket, collecting tins and leaflets made him a real local hero and his commitment to the hospice would see him standing outside in all winds and weathers, collecting and

telling passers-by about the service offered by the hospice.

"We were very saddened to hear of Vic's death and offer our deepest condolences to Liz and the family.

"His unwavering enthusiasm for fundraising and continued support of Martin House has been inspirational and he will be sorely missed by us all.

"The money he has raised over the years has made a huge contribution towards the running of the hospice, enabling us to continue to provide care and support to children and young people with life-limiting illnesses across our

region."

Mr Heffer's funeral service will be held at Rawdon Crematorium at 1pm on Wednesday, May 25.