A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER who left a lasting legacy in her community has died.

Helen Clift, née Mead, was an active figure in Hollingbury, Brighton, and founded two charities helping residents.

Her daughter Liz Clift said her passing would leave a huge hole in the community.

Helen founded the Together Group in 1983 which was set up to help deprived young families in the area providing drop-in play sessions for mums and their children, and meals at very little cost.

The charity later became a registered charity and lives on through its playgroup for pre-school children Carden Tots at the Old Boat Corner Community Centre (OBCCC) in Carden Hill, Hollingbury.

Ms Clift said: “My mother felt Hollingbury was quite isolated at the time and she wanted to bring the young families together to give them support.

“She really cared about her community and the people in it.

"She will be sadly missed not only by family but the community as well - even in her last days she was worried about people.”

Helen was also instrumental in helping to set up the Old Boat Corner Community Association in 1985, after the Together Group and other local residents realised they needed much larger premises and a community centre in the area.

It was their work with the council and Asda which led to the community centre being opened in 1988.

The OBCCA Ltd runs the community centre on a lease from the council and the venue has become a home to many groups.

Helen was born on December 19, 1934, in Oxford, before the family moved to Dartford.

She later moved to Brighton, aged 18, to train as a nurse at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

It was there that she met her future husband George Clift who was on the ward after a bout of tonsillitis.

The pair went on to have a happy marriage with five children.

Helen went on to to teach in various primary schools, before giving up her job to run the Together Group full-time.

In her later years the avid Brighton and Hove Albion supporter remained active in the community and enjoyed walking, playing boules and writing memoirs on the charities she helped to create. Helen died aged 82 on February 8 after a short illness. George had died in 2012.

She leaves behind five children, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Speaking on the lasting memory of her mother Ms Clift said: “I think it would be that she was such an amazing women who had so much energy and drive, care and compassion and who worked tirelessly for others. She has left a huge hole in our lives but has also left a wonderful legacy to the community.”

Helen’s funeral will take place at All Saints Church, Patcham on Monday, March 20 at 11am.