The man behind a hugely-successful Huddersfield charity for more than 30 years has died.

Gordon Dawson, 79, of Salendine Nook, was the former teacher and church stalwart who set up the Christian African Relief Trust in the town.

And since 1984 he has helped organise countless shipments of essential supplies to needy families and communities across Africa, notably Zambia and Malawi.

CART also arranged educational and vocational training courses as well as stepping up medical and development aid and encouraging people in villages to set up sustainable projects.

Mr Dawson, who was born and brought up in Lancashire, went to Manchester High School and then gained a theology degree at Manchester University.

He was set to follow his father into the church but then opteed to become a teacher, starting his career at the Blue Coat School in Oldham, where he taught religious education.

Mr Dawson was then appointed to the former Greenhead High School for Girls in Huddersfield in 1969 and five years later, became the careers advisor when the school became a Sixth Form College.

He married June in 1963 and the couple had two children, Stuart and Louise. They had set up home in Glodwick, Oldham, but then moved to Salendine Nook in the 1970s.

Mr Dawson’s involvment with Africa began in 1984 at a meeting of the youth club at St Stephen’s Church, Lindley, where a visiting speaker talked about CART.

It inspired Mr Dawson to set up the Huddersfield project and he remained active with the organisation up to his death, firstly as secretary and latterly as a hardworking trustee.

He inspired a network of collection points around the region, including many schools.

He was closely involved with life at St Stephen’s Church where he was a member of the Parochial Church Council, a chorister, an intercessor and youth group leader.

He loved gardening and singing with the Outlane Singers.

He leaves a widow, two children and four grandchildren, Sam, Toby, Daisy and Kitty.

A funeral service was held at St Stephen’s Church.

CART secretary Vanessa Stewart said: “I have been blessed to have spent time with him and count him as a friend. Especially I value his example as a ‘living stone’ a life and spirit that touched others”.