A charity fundraiser who worked tirelessly to raise more than £2m for young children in the Towns has died after a short illness.

Linda Phillips worked as a fundraising manager for the former CPC (Cerebral Palsy Care) charity, which supported children with cerebral palsy and other motor conditions.

Her family have described her as a selfless woman who “could get money out of anybody” if it was for a good cause.

The 62-year-old died at her home in Strood, on Thursday, December 7 with her family by her side, after being told just six weeks before she had terminal cancer.

She leaves her husband Mick and three children, Sarah, Cheryl and Dan, as well as seven grandchildren.

Mrs Phillips was born in Strood in 1955 and got married in 1975. She took over the Ingress Tavern, in Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, while her children grew up.

After moving back to Strood in the 1990s, she joined the CPC’s fundraising team when in 1994 she started on telephone sales and persuaded companies to take teddy bears to raise money.

She gained more than 300 orders with businesses where staff paid £1 to guess the name of the bear.

It was just the beginning of her fundraising career and when the charity moved from Strood, to Cliffe Woods, she was taken on as the fundraising manager by charity founder Rod Black.

Mr Black said she had an endearing way about her and soon built up contacts in the community and was very passionate about the cause.

Husband Mick, 65, said she worked tirelessly to raise money for the charity.

He said: “She could get money out of anybody. She was a selfless woman who would give anyone her last penny.

“She was a mum though and her family did come first to her.

"She adored her children and grandchildren, but the charity came a close second.”

One of her greatest achievements was persuading comedian Joe Pasquale to become patron of the charity and in 2004, when he won I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, he donated £176,000, to the cause.

She also helped secure support for the charity from singer Helen Shapiro and the pair became firm friends.

Mrs Phillips also organised a royal visit in 2006 when Sophie, Countess of Wessex spent the afternoon at the CPC centre learning about the good work it did.

Later when the charity closed, she helped Mr Black set up a new charity, Step and Learn in Frindsbury, which still helps youngsters today.

Mr Black said: “It was Linda that asked me to set up the new charity and although ill health hit the family hard, meaning she could not get as involved as she wanted to, she was always full of praise about our achievements.

“Thankfully most of her contacts have continued supporting us and during my visits to her in the last few days of her life, we shared plenty of wonderful memories about our work.

“Her death is a very sad loss for all who knew and worked with her.”

Mrs Phillips had just about enough time to plan her own funeral and chose the songs she wanted at the service.

Her son Dan said: “She tried to fight the cancer, but it took hold of her quickly. It shocked us all.

“Mum made sure she had sorted everything out for her funeral and had left us instructions.

“She wrote each of us individual letters for us to keep – that’s how much she loved her family and it has meant a lot.

“She even wrote some of the order of service and said she wants people to donate to Step and Learn rather than giving flowers.

"Everyone has been asked to wear a flash of green, it was her favorite colour.

"We even managed to have a Christmas before she went. It was a very emotionally hard day.”

Mrs Phillips funeral service is being held at Gravesend Crematorium on Wednesday, December 27, at noon.

Anyone who knew her is welcome to go.

Afterwards, family are raising a glass to her at Higham Village Club, in Hermitage Road, Higham.

Those who cannot go the service, but would like to make a donation in her memory should contact AH Apps Funeral Directors, in Luton Road, Chatham, 01634 842095.