A dedicated volunteer who spent years supporting charities and groups in Dartford – and even convincing royalty to help out – has died.

Mike Hopley passed away peacefully in Hazelwood Nursing Home on Friday, February, 21, at the age of 89 after a long illness.

Thought of as a true gentleman by friends and family, Mike was born in Tenterden and studied at Cranbrook School.

He worked as an education officer for the Kent Education Committee, first for the local authority in Maidstone, then Dartford, before moving to the London Borough of Bexley.

He lived in Dartford for 55 years and dedicated much of his spare time to raising funds for charity.

Mary, his wife of almost 61 years, said: “Mike had a wonderful sense of humour, and never minded dressing up if it meant other people had fun.

“His last performance was in a Murder Mystery play at St Peter’s Church in Hextable in 2014 when he took on three different roles causing a great deal of laughter.”

He organised events for Spital Street Methodist Church, including several Auctions of Promises persuading the Queen Mother and Dame Judi Dench to donate items.

Mike joined Dartford Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (DAODS) in 1981 and was in many shows across 25 years.

He was instrumental in acquiring the lease on a piece of land in Heath Lane and then raising funds for the hall which the group still uses extensively to this day.

As a long-standing member of Crayford Rotary, Mike helped in the campaign to eradicate polio worldwide and initiated the Bexley Young Musician of the Year competition.

When he retired, Mike turned his attention to raising funds for ellenor hospice, working in their charity shops and introducing a successful Open Garden Scheme, which, along with some dedicated colleagues, raised about £75,000.

He is survived by Mary and children John and Alison, her husband, Alastair and grandchildren Charles, Jake, Cameron, and Leo.

A service of thanksgiving will be held at 10.30am on March 25 at St Paul’s Church, Swanley Village.

Mike's family have asked that instead of flowers could donations be made to ellenor via ellenor.org/donate.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford