TRIBUTES have been paid after the sudden death of an inspirational Selby woman who worked tirelessly to help others in her community.

Wendy Singh was the mastermind behind Selby’s Hands of Hope charity, and a well-known and much loved figure in the community where she was dedicated to helping people in need.

Raised in Leeds, Wendy, 61, moved to Selby in 1973, and brought up her family of two sons, Richard and Mitchell, and one daughter, Angela.

After suffering her own personal problems and ill health and struggling through without help, Wendy set up Selby Hands of Hope with the simple aim of changing lives for the better. She wanted it to act as a last hope for people in crisis, providing funds, equipment, contact and support.

From its simple beginnings in Wendy’s back bedroom, the charity blossomed and in March this year, it opened its second charity shop.

Since its launch, Selby Hands of Hope has helped nearly 6,000 individuals and almost 100 organisations.

Paying tribute to his mother, Richard Singh said: “We are all devastated by the sudden death of our mum. She was the rock in all our lives and the coming days and weeks are going to be extremely hard.

“We had noticed in the past two weeks that she was as happy as we’ve ever seen her while involved with the charity. Our family would like to thank all the girls and staff at the Selby Hands of Hope shops for helping to make her dream come true.

“We have all been blown away by the support and kind messages we have received and would like to thank everyone. Those kind words are of massive comfort.”

The news of her death came as a shock to many at Selby Hands of Hope, and her friends and colleagues at the charity have paid their tributes as well.

Ann Rhodes, who works as coordinator for the organisation, said: “I’ve never known anybody to be so selfless and hard working and truly concerned about giving residents in the community a better future.”

Tributes have come as well from staff at Drax power station, who worked with Wendy since she set up the charity in 2009. Chief executive Andy Koss said they were deeply saddened at the loss of “the inimitable Wendy Singh”, and pledged that the company would continue its work to support her extraordinary legacy.

The company’s Ann Gray said: “Wendy was a very special person who simply wanted to help people. Her enthusiasm, tenacity and sense of humour were infectious and she will be sadly missed.”

MP Nigel Adams said: “Wendy will be missed by everyone, especially her wonderful and supportive family.”

In previous years, Wendy had been chairman of governors at Selby County Primary School and she sat on the patient panel at York Hospital and Scott Road Medical Centre.