When her husband Charlie died in 2000, Betty Kemp said she could either sit at home and cry or go out and do something to help others.

Eastern Daily Press: Betty Kemp of Attleborough, when she climbed a mountain in the Lakes to raise money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Photo: Submitted.Betty Kemp of Attleborough, when she climbed a mountain in the Lakes to raise money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Photo: Submitted. (Image: ©Archant Photographic 2010)

Since then she has brewed thousands of cups of coffee, climbed mountains and jumped out of a plane in her efforts to raise money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA).

And even though the 84-year-old, who lives on Chapel Road in Attleborough, has raised £50,766 in 13 years, she has vowed to continue to fundraise for the charity.

The co-founder of Coffee and Chat, which is held almost every Saturday at St Mary's Church and raises money for local charities, was inspired to raise money for the EAAA after choosing them to be the recipient of money raised at the coffee morning.

She was asked by the charity if she wanted to sell merchandise and has never looked back.

Mrs Kemp, who has three sons, said: 'I am a person who likes to help people. My husband used to say to me, 'can't you just say no?'. It is my job – the coffee mornings and raising money for the air ambulance. Ever since I was a little girl I have tried to look after people.'

The grandmother and great-grandmother, who lived and worked on farms around Attleborough with her husband, describes her fundraising as something she was 'meant to do'.

'I say to people 'don't worry about me, I've got too much to do',' she said. 'It helps me, the coffee morning. I have just got to have something to do.

'I do like to support them [EAAA] because they are not government funded and they need the money. If it was not for us helpers, they would not be able to continue.'

On raising more than £50,000 Mrs Kemp said: 'It is fantastic. I can't believe it. It does feel good.'

She has received a number of certificates and cards from EAAA thanking her for her contributions.

For more information about the EAAA visit www.eaaa.org.uk