THE daughter of a champion fundraiser held one final garden sale to honour her mum.

Angie Alden, 66, of Coombewood Drive, Thundersley, hosted the event in memory of her late mum, Joyce Long, who died four months ago at the age of 86.

She was a well known face across south Essex thanks to her tireless fundraising efforts, which saw her raise around £1.5 million for Southend Hospital.

For more than 30 years, Mrs Long dedicated her spare time to raising cash for the hospital.

She began by setting up temporary charity shops, and later moved on to her famous garden sales, which were held at her home, 22 Park Road, Thundersley, three or four times a year.

Mrs Alden decided to hold one last sale to clear out the bric-a-brac, old furniture, toys and other vintage items her mum had been collecting right up until her death.

It began on Monday, and is continuing until tomorrow.

Mrs Alden said: "I helped out with mum’s garden sales for the last seven years after she had a stroke seven year ago.

“The sales were so close to mum’s heart and the sales meant so much to her. The event have been going well, although the weather has been rubbish some days which has put a bit of a dampener on it."

She added that over the years her mum gained quite a following through her garden sales, with regular customers making an effort to come to every one.

Mrs Alden said: “When mum passed away last year she still had lost of charity goods and her own bits and things so we decided to hold the garden sale.

“I think that she would be pleased knowing her own belongings along with the other charitable goods she has collected are going to good use and raising money for charity.”

Mrs Long's outstanding efforts meant she was made an MBE in 2004, and a room in Southend Hospital’s education centre was named in her honour.