A Mill Hill church paid tribute to a “tremendous” community leader who has helped raise cash for a children’s charity for more than 40 years.

St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Flower Lane hosted its annual coffee morning on Saturday selling a variety of homemade cakes, preserves, cards and jewellery to raise cash for The Children’s Society and to say a big thank you to 89-year-old Ethel Marginson.

Mrs Marginson, who recently moved to Woodside Retirement Home in Whetstone, has stepped down from her fundraising role. Over the past 40 years she has organised collections and events to raise cash for the charity which supports vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, and helps safeguard children in care and young runaways.

The grandmother-of-one, who was a primary school teacher at Deansbrook, St Paul’s CE and Barnsfield, also ran The Children’s Society charity shop for two years in Mill Hill Broadway in the 1980s and launched a parent and toddler group at the church.

Her twin sister, Mary Wheeler, said: “She has always been interested in the needs of young people and found that there was little provision for those running away from home. The work of The Children’s Society did not cover this area so she decided to take that on.

“She also always wanted to set something up for mothers, she felt they should be getting more help. I think it’s hard to recognise how lonely a young mother can be. She set up the parent and toddler group 21 years ago and it’s been very popular ever since.”

St Michael’s and All Angels has always played an important role in Mrs Marginson’s life. She was baptised at the church, and married her late husband Jack Marginson there, but she has also made it a special place for others.

Mum-of-four Toni Cox, who will take over fundraising for The Children’s Society, said: “Ethel was my first contact with the church when I first went to the toddler group with my child nearly 20 years ago.

“I wasn’t a real Christian but then she showed me what Christianity was all about and because of her I’ve been here ever since.

“This event is a fitting tribute for us to all say thank you for everything she has done.”

Pam Harmer, 79, who has known Mrs Marginson and her twin sister since she was 12-years-old, said: “Ethel is tremendous. She is a lady full of warmth and love, who is always caring for people.”

The coffee morning helped bring in more than £330 which will be donated to The Children’s Society.