AN RAF veteran left a legacy of cash in his will to support a children’s hospice and a military charity.

Len Davis, from Blackbird Leys, set aside the ‘substantial gift’ for Helen & Douglas House in East Oxford and national organisation Help for Heroes.

The 90-year-old died in February and both charities have now paid tribute after receiving the donation, though the sum has not been made public.

Ken Woodhouse, Oxfordshire county coordinator for Help for Heroes, said: “[We] would like to say a huge thank you for this very generous gift.

“We are extremely grateful for his fantastic support, which will go a long way in helping our wounded injured and sick servicemen and women who have suffered life changing injuries while selflessly serving their country.”

Mr Davis lived his entire life in Oxford before dying of pneumonia this year.

He joined the Air Defence Training Corps in 1938 and in 1946 was called up for national service, which he spent as an aircraftsman.

He then worked at Sainsbury’s in Oxford city centre and finished his working life at the Bodleian Library.

In 2008 Mr Davis became friends with Joan Lester, having met through the RAF Association (RAFA).

They lived together in Blackbird Leys and Mr Davis became her carer, before she died in 2015.

Mr Davis often helped young air cadets to sell poppies in Cowley centre, and was congratulated by the RAFA for his support.

His close friend Alan Lester said: “Len was just a good ordinary honest person, who caused no offence to anyone.

“Len was Oxford born and bred and for many years was the standard-bearer for Oxford RAFA branch, which was a role he very much treasured.”

Explaining his friend’s choice of charities, Mr Lester added: “Len developed an affection for Helen & Douglas House some years ago and decided to leave part of his estate, to help continue what he considered a very much-needed community asset.

“Because of his attachment to the military he became very concerned about the treatment given to injured veterans from the Iraq War, and this prompted him to make provision to Help for Heroes.”

Hazel Bedford, director of fundraising at Helen & Douglas House, said: “We are so grateful for Len’s gift, which will help care for local terminally ill children for years to come.

“We need to raise £3m a year to care for children at our hospice and at home, and cannot do this without legacy donations like this.”