FRIENDS and family are this week mourning the sudden death of a dedicated police officer who raised funds in his spare time for children with leukaemia.

PC Dean Tring, 38, who was a founder member and tireless campaigner for the Maidstone branch of the Leukaemia Research Fund, was found dead on Monday. The coroner has been informed and an inquest will be held.

Mr Tring, of Halstow Close, Loose, Maidstone, had been in the police force for 15 years and worked for Maidstone and Malling Police's town centre policing unit for four years. He was commended for hard work last April and was given a bravery medal for disarming a suspect a year ago.

He met his wife of 11 years, Catherine, through the police force when one of her friends started working with him.

Mrs Tring, 38, described him as a happy and well-like person who loved his two sons, Anthony, seven, and Matthew, nine.

She said: "He loved his family. He did everything for us. He lived for us."

She added: "In the last year he threw himself into helping the Maidstone Leukaemia Research Fund. Instead of sending flowers, I would ask for anyone to send donations to the charity because that is what he would have wanted."

Mr Tring founded the charity just over a year ago with his friend Chris Moon, of Pear Tree Lane, Loose, whose son has leukaemia.

He became actively involved in organising fund raising events, including a bike ride from Maidstone to Paris last July, when Mr Tring also drove a support car for the cyclists.

A special address has been set up for donations to the charity in Mr Tring's memory. If you wish to make a donation send it to PO Box 706, ME15 9GY.