Tree planted in memorial to William Bradley who raised more that £150,000 for charity

William Bradley (Image: Archant 2012)

William Bradley, of Furze Road, Thorpe St Andrew, began fundraising in the 1990s after his grandaughter was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

Over the years he visited local stores with his collection bucket and was nominated for an MBE twice.

He died in February 2012, aged 86, after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, and now, in his memory, a tree has been planted at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to mark his achievements.

Mr Bradley's grandson Carl, who lives in Mulbarton, followed in his grandad's footsteps by raising money himself, so that the tree could be planted.

He said: 'I came up with the idea and stood in my local Tesco with photos of my granddad. People were so generous.

'They were really pleased something was being done to mark his legacy. We said he was Norfolk's pride. In the end this tree was Norfolk's gift for him.'

Someone who benefitted from Mr Bradley's charity work was Clive Crotch, a patient diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, who said he always felt some comfort in chatting to him.

'Mr Bradley was a man who never took no for an answer from any store manager he approached about raising money,' he added.

'He was a great ambassador for CF – a great scholar and a true gentleman.'

Emma Bales, from the Tesco store at Harford Bridge, said: 'It is wonderful to see Mr Bradley remembered in this way for all the wonderful work raising money and always putting a smile on our faces whenever he was in.'

Do you know an inspirational fundraiser? E-mail joseph.randlesome@archant.co.uk