TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved charity champion from Hexham who raised more than £50,000 for Tynedale Hospice at Home.

Alison Ross, from Hexham, died peacefully on Friday (June 17) at the age of 84.

Alison became a volunteer at Tynedale Hospice at Home's first shop on Battle Hill in 2003.

Her father had owned the very same shop when it was a newsagent.

Feeling that she should volunteer in the shop her father used to run, she became a big part of the charity.

Shortly after joining as a retail volunteer, Alison started a popular monthly coffee morning to raise the profile of the hospice locally.

A committed fundraiser, she celebrated all of her recent milestone birthdays in impressive style.

At 70, she swam a mile and raised £2,000 for the charity, and when she turned 75, she zip-wired across the River Tyne, raising £6,000.

To celebrate her 80th birthday in 2017, Alison completed the Go Ape! obstacle course at Matfen, raising £4,000.

She also supported bereaved families when the Family Support Service was established at Tynedale Hospice at Home, and played an important role as a volunteer driver.

Her longest drive was taking a patient for their final chemotherapy appointment from Kielder to Newcastle, with Alison kindly stopping off with the patient for fish and chips on the way home to celebrate her last dose of chemotherapy.

Cathy Bates, Fundraising Manager at Tynedale Hospice at Home said: “Alison was an incredible woman who dedicated much of her life to Tynedale Hospice at Home.

"Nothing was ever too much. She was passionate, dedicated and an outstanding supporter.

"Alison was a volunteer in a million. She will sadly be missed and fondly remembered by everyone who knew her."

Alison leaves behind two daughters and a son.

A page dedicated to Alison is on the Tynedale Hospice at Home website with details of how to make a gift in her memory. You can also leave a tribute message.