A COMMITTED charity collector who was recognised by The Queen for his selfless work has died, aged 94.

William John Deacon, who lived on Limethwaite Road in Windermere for 52 years, passed away after a short illness on April 14.

Mr Deacon was awarded a Member of the British Empire medal for his charitable work. He also received a Red Cross as well as other commendations.

Born in Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia, on December 2 1921, Mr Deacon relocated to England with his mother Marjory and sister Dorothy after the death of his father, William Alexander, in the 1940s.

He worked as as an assistant in a television repair shop until he met his wife and took up a career as a clerical officer in the Inland Revenue.

Mr Deacon married his wife Sylvia Audrey on September 6 1952 at Kendal Parish Church. They enjoyed a happy marriage at Limethwaite Road for more than half a century until ill health and immobility took over with old age.

The couple had two sons, Marcus John, 49, and Jonathan Heath, who sadly died aged five.

Mr Deacon decided to take early retirement to concentrate on his charity work, and could often be seen around Bowness and Windermere with a coin box, collecting for the British Red Cross, St John's Ambulance, RSPCA and the World Wildlife Fund.

He was honoured by The Queen in June 2007 for his services to healthcare with his MBE – in total he collected £89,403 for various causes.

His favourite hobbies were enjoying classical music – the music from Hansel and Gretel was played at his funeral at St Martin's Parish Church, Bowness – and walking.

A keen hiker, Mr Deacon met his wife through the Ramblers Association, and together they enjoyed exploring the Lakeland fells.

Mr Deacon is survived by his wife Sylvia and son Marcus.