TRIBUTES have been paid to award-winning fund-raiser and community hero Reg Box, who died on Saturday.

Mr Box was a frequent visitor to old folks’ homes in and around Malvern, where he would entertain residents with old-time songs, while wearing his trademark hat and waistcoat.

His efforts at these visits – as well as other fund-raising events such as regular bingo evenings – saw him raise more than £120,000 for the Midland Air Ambulance.

A keen football fan, he was also president of the Mercian Festival Junior Football League, with teams playing for the Reg Box Trophy every year – which was presented by the man himself for the last time in May.

Mr Box, of Brook Farm Drive, Malvern, died peacefully at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, his son Nigel said.

He had celebrated his 95th birthday last month.

In 2011, Mr Box was presented with an award by the air ambulance, recognising him as the charity’s longest-serving fund-raiser. In the same year he was the recipient of a Community Hero award from this newspaper’s sister publication, the Malvern Gazette.

“He was still active until very recently and in the end he went quickly and painlessly, as he would have wanted,” said his son.

“We will long treasure our fond memories of a colourful life. He will be missed not only by us but by all whose hearts he touched.”

Anne Newell, fund-raising manager for the air ambulance, said: “Words can’t express our gratitude to Reg for his hard work over the years.

“He kept going long after most people would have reckoned they’d done their bit and put their feet up. We will always be grateful to him and he will be sadly missed.”

As well as being known for his charity work, Mr Box was a long-standing supporter of Malvern Town Football Club, serving as president for a number of years.

Margaret Scott, from the club, said: “Mr Box was a pillar of strength in the club, and continued to use the club as the venue for his air ambulance bingo sessions. “He was always friendly, helpful and cheerful, and he will be missed by everyone here.”

George Silverman, secretary of the Mercian Festival Junior Football League, knew Mr Box for about 15 years. “I had a lot of respect for the guy because he wasn’t just a talker, he was ‘doer’,” he said. “I never knew him to miss a final and he presented the cup every year. Genuinely, it was a privilege to have him as our president.”

A funeral service will be held at Worcester Crematorium on Thursday at 2pm. Donations in Mr Box’s memory can be made to the air ambulance, via Hollands Funeral Service.

The family is asking that those attending should not wear black, with light-coloured clothing or bright ties preferred.

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