The chief executive of a leading cancer charity for young people has paid tribute to a former Abbots Langley resident who dedicated her life to charity work, vowing her legacy will live on.

Daphne Pullen OBE devoted more than 35 years to working and volunteering in the charity sector, first joining CLIC Sargent as the chair of the board of trustees in 2006. She stood down from the role in 2014 but was made honorary president in recognition of her dedication and support she had provided.

Daphne died on January 8, aged 68, and the charity’s chief executive Rachel Kirby-Rider said: “Daphne was instrumental in making sure CLIC Sargent’s support grew and grew, by doubling our fundraising year on year and making sure young people with cancer were able to get the support they needed.

"We were delighted to name one of the rooms in our Southampton Home from Home after Daphne, as a recognition for how much she did to help young people with cancer over the years.

“Her passion and dedication for the charity will be missed. We were very proud to recognise Daphne’s support with the role of honorary president and we know, after 35 years in the charity sector, that her legacy will continue to live on.”

The lounge named in Daphne's honour is for teenagers and young adults at Jean’s House in Southampton, one of the charity’s ten Homes from Home across the UK which offers families a free place to stay near the hospital.

The room was named after her to represent her dedication at helping young people with cancer.

Daphne Vivienne Pullen (nee Henman) was born in Luton on April 20, 1952 and grew up in Maida Vale and Bushey.

She attended Merry Hill School and Bushey Meads and became a legal executive, but was to devote her life to charity work and travelled the world doing so.

She became national chair of Samaritans, led Victim Support in Hertfordshire and was a trustee and chair of YMCA in Hertfordshire. She also held the position of chair of Age UK Wiltshire, relocating to that county from her home in Abbots Langley in 2012.

The following year she received an OBE from the Queen at Windsor Castle in recognition of her service to the charity sector.

A wife, daughter, sister and auntie, Daphne Pullen will be remembered as a “wonderful human”. She is survived by her husband Andrew.