BLACKBURN Rovers and charity bosses have paid tribute to an ex-serviceman from Blackburn who ‘tirelessly’ raised money for charity while terminally ill.

Warren Wolstencroft, 39, died at home on Saturday night after a four-year battle with cancer.

He was diagnosed with Epithelioid Sarcoma 12 years ago and had his right arm amputated.

The cancer returned in 2009 and he, his wife Michelle and daughters Shelby, 18, Phoebe, 12, Bethany, 10 and Darcy, two, were told it was terminal.

Mrs Wolstencroft, 39, said: “Warren was a loving, funny, thoughtful and considerate man. The girls have been little troopers.

“Darcy, thinks daddy has gone back to the hospice because he was in there for such a long time. When she asks to go and see him, that will be really hard.

“Warren loved doing his work for charity and when he found out he had cancer in 2001, he wanted to make a difference. He was such an inspirational man. It is cruel he has been taken at such a young age.”

Mr Wolstencroft organised many charity events, including a football match at Blackburn Rovers Football club to raise money for BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association).

Mr Wolstencroft had been a soldier in the Queens Lancashire Regiment before his illness forced him to retire. He served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Belize.

Warren’s cousin Neil Shorrock, 39, said he had dedicated his life to helping others. He added: “Warren was like a brother to me.

“When he came back home from war, he was very humbled by the help BLESMA gave him and he did not want to take any money off them.”

Rovers player David Dunn said: “I’m deeply saddened. I was with Warren only a few weeks ago and he seemed in good spirits.

“At the hospice, he was speaking about his wife and his children, and I know how much they meant to him.

“Pictures and drawings his kids had done were plastered all over the wall and that will stick in my memory for a long time, so my thoughts go out to his family.”

Rovers coach Colin Hendry, who took part in the charity football match, said: “I am very saddened to hear the news. I know Warren worked tirelessly to raise funds for many good causes.”

Jerome Church, chief executive at BLESMA, said “I’d known Warren for 10 years. He was a proud BLESMA member, which is reinforced by how much money he raised, well over £6,000.

“He was always enthusiastic and made his presence felt and endeared himself to everyone he met. It’s a terrible loss.”

Mr Wolstencroft also raised money for the East Lancashire Hospice, which provided respite for him during his illness.

He was a huge Rovers fan and had a large collection of match-worn shirts and represented the club on Soccer AM.

A club spokesman said: “Warren was more than just a Rovers fan, he was a close friend of the club and we are all deeply saddened by the news. He will be sorely missed.”