Dedicated Poppy Seller Found Dead In Gorge

A woman who is believed to have sold around 30,000 poppies during decades of fundraising for the Royal British Legion was found dead just two days before the 70th anniversary of VE Day.

Olive Cooke's body was discovered at Avon Gorge in Bristol last week.

The 92-year-old dedicated 76 years of her life to raising money for the Royal British Legion and began selling the poppies in 1938 when she was 16.

Mrs Cooke, who lived in Fishponds, was inspired by her father, who set up a Royal British Legion branch in Bedminster in Bristol.

She devoted herself to the charity after her husband Leslie Hussey-Yeo, a sailor in the Royal Navy, was killed in Italy in 1943.

This left her a war widow at the age of 21.

Mrs Cooke was a familiar face in Bristol, and could be found in the doorway of the city's cathedral every year in the run-up to Remembrance Day.

Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall said it was a "desperately sad" story.

He said: "She was very generous according to all the reports, she gave money to a lot of charities.

"But she sent £250 to a friend and it got lost in the post and she was pestered by charities for her generosity and for donations.

"Olive was a lady who was clearly hugely generous, hugely philanthropic.

"But according to a friend, that money that went missing in the post recently, that £250 she sent to a friend, and because she was receiving so many letters through the door asking for her financial support for charities, she had started to lose faith in people."

Her death has shocked the community.

Lord mayor of Bristol Alastair Watson said: "We were all deeply saddened to hear about the death of Olive Cooke.

"She was a wonderful lady who dedicated her life to selling poppies and helping other people.

"Our paths crossed at many events, and I was delighted to be able to award her the lord mayor's medal last year at a special afternoon tea at the Mansion House.

"Her death is a big loss to the city of Bristol, and our thoughts are with all of her family and friends at this sad time."

David Lowe, the Royal British Legion's area manager for South West Midlands, said: "Olive's remarkable efforts over the years should be highly commended.

"She will be greatly missed, but not forgotten.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with Olive's friends and family at this time."

Mrs Cooke was given the Points of Light award by Prime Minister David Cameron last year in recognition of her "outstanding" work.

An inquest into her death is expected to be opened at Avon Coroner's Court next week.