TRIBUTES have been paid to a devoted charity campaigner and grandfather.

Malcolm Harper, 73, suffered a pulmonary embolism at the Churchill Hospital in Headington.

The retired Oxfam worker, who lived in Charlbury, was being treated for the blood cancer lymphoma.

He was described by friends and family as “a pillar of the community” who “loved being a grandfather”.

His wife of 47 years, Ann Harper, said: “He was a charming man – it didn’t matter who you were to him.”

Mr Harper had been president of Charlbury Cricket Club since 2006.

He died on Thursday and the club’s teams held minute’s silences, wearing black armbands, at their matches on Saturday.

Club chairman Colin Olliffe said: “He was absolutely fantastic.

“All the younger players have been putting messages for him all over Facebook.”

Mr Harper worked for Oxfam from 1963-81 in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Vietnam, and Cambodia. He was also the director of the United Nations Association of Great Britain and campaigned for disarmament and human rights.

He leaves behind his wife, daughters Clare and Kate, son Charles, and a two-year-old grandson.

A full obituary will be published in Thursday's Oxford Mail.