An “exceptional” Shropshire man who raised more than £100,000 for charity has died.

Tributes were today paid to Gordon Beharrell, of, Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, who died on Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack. He was 71.

Mr Beharrell was well known for his generosity and his legacy of fundraising has helped hundreds of people enjoy better facilities at places such as the Severn Hospice in Bicton.

His wife June said the family had been left devastated by his death but said they were immensely proud of the former British Transport Police officer. She said he had raised money for a number of charities including Hope House and the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre Appeal.

She said: “He made so many friends. He had three strokes last year and one day he came out on the Thursday and he was back collecting on the Friday. He was a very special man, he cared about people.”

She added: “I was lying in bed this morning feeling sorry for myself but instead of shedding tears I am going to the market on Saturday and I am going to collect for the hospice just as he would have done.”

Matthew Beharrell, one of Mr Beharrell’s four sons, said he was due to run the London Marathon for the Severn Hospice in 2010 and said he would dedicate the run to his dad. Mr Beharrell also leaves sons Mark, Adam and John.

Norma Ross, appeals director for Severn Hospice, said: “We are all deeply saddened at Gordon’s sudden death.”