TRIBUTES have been paid to an animal lover and longstanding RSPCA volunteer who has died aged 86.

Daisy Bennett dedicated 50 years to the welfare of animals, volunteering with the RSPCA in Stroud.

“Over the years Daisy has not only supported the charity through her fantastic fundraising efforts, she has helped changed the lives of thousands of animals,” said Carolyn Blackburn, chairman of the RSPCA.

“Daisy was very much loved by everyone at the charity. We will all remember her wicked sense of humour, the twinkle in her eye, her girlish giggle and her total dedication to animal welfare.

“Daisy was incredibly excited about the new animal centre, the Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home, which is about to open near Cam and we are all very sad that she didn’t get to see the first animal arrive this week, but her legacy will live on through the centre for many generations to come.

“She was simply an inspiration to all of us – she will be very much missed.”

In the early 80’s Daisy helped run the charity’s first shop in Nailsworth with her friend Midge.

They would sort through the donations in the damp old basement, making sure nothing went to waste and as much money as possible was raised.

The shop in Nailsworth continues to raise funds to support the charity’s work today.

Together with her husband Lewis, Daisy would help at the charity’s old animal centre on the Teckels site in Whitminster.

She then helped to set up the clinic in Stroud which has helped thousands of vulnerable animals over the years.

Daisy also served as a trustee and an auxiliary secretary until 2001, when Lewis became ill, but she continued to raise funds selling donated goods through a shop in her garden.

Her fundraising efforts included coffee mornings with her friend Midge, book sales outside the Subscription Rooms where she would stand in a cardboard box to keep her feet from getting too cold.

“This was a great idea until one day she went to serve a customer and forgot she was in the box and promptly fell over,” said a spokesman for the charity.

After Lewis died in 2007, Daisy took some time out but eventually returned as a volunteer in the Stroud charity shop where she was a familiar face to many.

She passed away on August 22.