GLOWING tributes have been paid to dedicated fund-raiser Peggy Wood.

Mrs Wood died at Maidstone Hospital on Sunday night, aged 81.

Known to everyone as Peggy, her legendary fund-raising efforts began in 1980, when her grandson was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of two and a half.

Appalled by the lack of medical equipment available to treat him in his home town, Mrs Wood began what would become a 26-year campaign to equip Maidstone Hospital with life-saving equipment for cancer sufferers.

Since then she has been the inspiration in raising £3.5million through her charities, the Kent Leukaemia and Cancer Equipment Fund.

Earlier this year the charity was renamed the Peggy Wood Foundation in tribute to her fund-raising efforts on behalf of the thousands she helped.

Bryn Annis, chairman of the Maidstone-based Peggy Wood Foundation said: "She was just so gifted at raising money and getting other people to support her."

Maidstone Mayor, Cllr Mike Fitzgerald said: "Peggy Wood was everybody’s friend. She worked tirelessly for others."

* For the full story and more tributes see this Friday’s Kent Messenger.