A DEDICATED member of local branches of the Royal Air Forces Association has died aged 70.

Trevor Sykes was well-known for his involvement with RAFA groups including the Huddersfield and Brighouse and Rastrick branch.

He was a great champion for the groups and helped raise many thousands of pounds for ex-servicemen and women.

Mr Sykes was born on March 1, 1941, in Marsden.

His dad Harold was a fireman in the Blitz while his mother Nellie worked as a weaver.

Mr Sykes attended Royds Hall School and joined Thomas Broadbent as an engineer before working in the firms offices.

He then undertook further training at Huddersfield Technical College and worked as a cost accountant for firms including Dob Royd Mills near Hepworth, George Mallinson Mill in Linthwaite, Brian Jackson Centre and Highfield Gears.

Mr Sykes married Angela in October, 2002, in Halifax and the pair celebrated with friends and family in Marsden.

In his youth he was prevented from signing up for National Service and the Army because he suffered from asthma and eczema.

But that spurred him on to show his support on a local level and in 1958 he joined the Air Training Corps (ATC).

Mr Sykes was involved with the organisation for over 50 years, joining the Holmfirth Squadron as a Cadet and then achieving Adult Warrant Officer status.

He was also a civilian committee treasurer in the ATC.

Mr Sykes became involved with the RAFA in the early 80s as a friend member.

He started with the Huddersfield branch, before transferring to the Calder Valley branch and then the Brighouse and Rastrick branch.

In 1988 he was made secretary of the Yorkshire Region and then went on to be treasurer.

He also held the post of secretary of Brighouse and Rastrick until his death.

Mr Sykes helped raise many thousands of pounds for ex-servicemen and women.

He would often be seen on the streets of Brighouse and at stores, garden centres and galas collecting for the RAFAs Wings Appeal.

The RAFA was his second love after his family and he was a great champion for associate members.

He worked hard to put them on the map, attending conferences twice a year with his wife Angela.

Whilst at a conference in Blackpool in March this year, he was made a Northern Area Life Vice President.

He was the first ever associate member within the organisation to be honoured with the prestigious award.

Mr Sykes also helped start a youth club with his wife and friends in the Beechwood area of Sowerby Bridge near where he lived, but had to give up due to ill health.

He died peacefully in his caravan in Withensea on April 27.

He leaves his wife, children Lynda, Gillian and Colin, step-children Helen and Howard and six grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held tomorrow at Park Wood Crematorium in Elland at 1.30pm.

Members of the RAFA from all over the country are expected to attend.

Mourning clothes are not necessary and donations will be given to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.