Tributes have been paid to long-standing fundraiser and Petersfield town councillor Martin Holmes, who died last week.

Mr Holmes died at Queen Alexandra Hospital on January 24, after what his brother Jeremy described as “a brave battle with serious illness”.

Head of Charity at Portsmouth Hospitals Kate Sandys paid tribute to Mr Holmes, whose fundraising work with his brother spanned decades. The brothers, joined by Jeremy’s son William, had recently handed over a record amount raised at the Christmas charity market.

Their fundraising markets spanning decades had not only supported Portsmouth Hospitals but many other local charities including Petersfield Lions, The Rosemary Foundation and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Jeremy said it was a fitting tribute to his brother that the latest event raised the highest total of all their markets.

A donation of £1,875 was given to the Portsmouth Hospitals Cancer Services Fund, with the cheque presented shortly before Mr Holmes was admitted to hospital.

Mrs Sandys visited Mr Holmes in his ward shortly before his death.

She said: “The sun was shining across the view of Portsmouth and we had a nice chat. I was so pleased to meet Martin and to personally thank him.”

She added that the tens of thousands of pounds raised had helped fund advanced medical equipment, robotic surgery and cancer treatment.

Hospital Fundraising Manager Sally Hillyear said that the Easter and Christmas Charity Markets had become firm favourites in Petersfield and also thanked everyone for their support.

“We’d like to offer our sincere condolences at this very difficult time,” she said.

Jeremy said that the Easter Market and future events would still go ahead as planned. “We will carry on as normal.”