A HEARTBROKEN wife led the tributes yesterday to fundraiser and blood donor Ron Springthorpe, who has died aged 72.

Elizabeth Springthorpe said her husband would do anything to help anyone.

Mr Springthorpe was diagnosed with terminal cancer, which had spread to his lungs, kidneys and liver, at the start of last month and was told he had only weeks to live.

The Northern Echo told last week how he had donated 100 pints of blood.

The National Blood Service presented him with an award at his home, in St David's Close, Spennymoor, County Durham, because he knew he would not live long enough to make the formal ceremony next month.

He died on Wednesday night in his wife's arms.

She said: "It seems so unfair that a wonderful, kind and gentle man like Ron should have been taken from us so soon. Throughout his short illness he was so strong -he was my rock."

It would have been their 30th wedding anniversary on June 18.

Mr Springthorpe started donating blood in his late-teens, after he saw a road accident and realised how vital the service was. He also took part in many charity events and once completed a sponsored walk from York to Leeds in aid of Children In Need.