AN “INSPIRATIONAL” charity worker who helped dozens of North-East children improve their literacy skills has died aged 39.

Mother-of-two Clare Sandford, of Darlington, lost her battle with cancer within weeks of being diagnosed, but has left behind a "great legacy".

In 2011 she joined the Durham branch of national children’s literacy charity Beanstalk and set up a children’s reading scheme from scratch in County Durham.

She recruited and trained many passionate and committed volunteers to help children in primary schools on a one-to-one basis to improve their reading.

Over the last three years, the North-East and Yorkshire Beanstalk team, under Ms Sandford’s leadership, achieved a 54 per cent growth in numbers of reading helpers and children supported.

This achievement led to Ms Sandford being promoted to the new post of area manager for Beanstalk in the North-East and Yorkshire last year.

David Beavis, northern regional director for the charity, described her as “much-loved” and “inspirational” figure.

He said: “Those who worked closely with Clare know that she was driven to achieve, never accepted second best, but did so in such a caring way.

“Clare was such a positive and inspirational person and, although modest about her own personal achievements, was very proud of her team’s collective success – and rightly so.”

Mr Beavis said that Ms Sandford had left a “great legacy” for the charity to build on, adding: “Clare Sandford was a wonderful person, brilliant colleague and a true inspiration to us all, who achieved phenomenal success in her three years with Beanstalk.

“She will be greatly missed but never forgotten.”

Ms Sandford was born in Darlington and grew up in the town; attending Red Hill primary school and then Longfield secondary school.

Her first full-time job upon leaving school at 16 was in the housing department at Darlington Council, but over the last 23 years she spent most of her career in the voluntary sector.

She took time out only for maternity leave when her two daughters were born; Emma now aged 15 and Elizabeth, now eight.

As well as her daughters, Ms Sandford is also survived by her parents Margaret and Dave, and brother, Christopher.