TRIBUTES have been paid to a highly regarded campaigner for refugees, who died recently.

Trudie Thompson, who was 93, was founder, former chairwoman and Honorary President of the Stockton-based Justice First support group but had worked to help vulnerable people for most of her adult life.

The Middlesbrough woman helped raise many thousands of pounds with the Mary Thompson fund which she established in memory of her sister in 2000 when she was 77.

The much-loved fundraiser's health began to fail after she broke her hip three years ago but she continued living in her own home.

Tributes were led by Peter Widlinski, co-ordinator of Tees Valley City of Sanctuary refugee support group.

In a special publication created to commemorate Ms Thompson, Mr Widlinski explained that she had lived with her older sister, Mary, for most of her life and was bereft when Mary died.

A very intelligent child, she was educated at St Alphonso's School and Newlands Convent Grammar School before training as an architect aged 16 but her training in the male-dominated world was cut short when the Second World War broke out.

She went on to train as an engineer at Constantine College, which became Teesside Polytechnic and then University, and, once again was not discouraged by working in an industry dominated by men. She looked after her ill father and worked at ICI at Wilton Castle, near Redcar, Vogue magazine in advertising in London and as an art teacher at Newlands Convent Grammar School and Teesside High School.

Life changed yet again in 1970 when Trudie and Mary travelled to Leeds to hear Mother Teresa speak. The sisters formed the Middlesbrough branch of the Co-Workers of Mother Teresa group.

In 1979 the Government accepted 5,000 Vietnamese refugees and she helped look after the ones who came to Middlesbrough.

Mr Widlinski said: "When the refugees arrived in Middlesbrough they were in their late teens and early 20s, having left their parents and families behind in Vietnam they were alone in the world. They have never forgotten the kindness and generosity which was shown to them at this time. Some of those same refugees came back to Middlesbrough to attend Trudie’s funeral."

During the 1980s Trudie and Mary became involved in the Justice and Peace movement and was also involved with Inter Faith Groups and Cleveland Innovation, a local product and development company.

Mr Widlinski said: "She was an inspiration to us all. We will continue to administer the fund as she would have wished."