TRIBUTES have been paid to a dedicated charity founder who help raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for sick and disabled children.

Ellen Daniels, who was the driving force behind the Colchester Children’s Day Centre Appeal, has died aged 83 after a battle with dementia.

Her fundraising began in the George Hotel, but eventually moved to two charity shops in Colchester, and after an 18-year campaign, Mrs Daniels was able to open a nursery for special needs children in Straight Road in 2007.

Sadly the nursery was forced to close two years later because of financial difficulties and the charity changed its named to the Colchester Children’s Charity Appeal which continue to thrive.

Roy Kemp, who worked alongside Mrs Daniels, who was better known as May, and said she was a very special woman.

He said: “She was absolutely fantastic – one of the most hardworking and dedicated women you will ever meet in your life.

“She was so kind hearted and the charity was simply her heart and soul, she would be behind the counter at the shops for eight hours per day every day.”

The death of Mrs Daniels’ second husband Les in the late 1980s sparked her fundraising, after she had previously worked serving meals to bus drivers at the old depot in St Botolph’s.

She leaves three children, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren and her son Jeff Hammatt paid tribute to his mother.

He said: “She was just a great women and despite all her commitment to the charity, always found time for her children.

“She was one of those people who really cared and was totally devoted to the charity.

“Everybody liked her and she was just a very caring person.”

Mrs Daniel’s funeral will be held at Colchester Cemetery at 11am on Thursday, May 19.

Family flowers only are requested but donations can be made in her name to the Colchester Children’s Charity Appeal.