Tributes have been paid to a Kettering couple known for their volunteering who died within days of each other.

Bob and Judy Pooley sadly died last month, two weeks apart – they had been married for 55 years.

Glowing tributes have flooded for the couple who were known by many people in the Kettering area, from their fundraising work in support of Guide Dogs and the RNLI, as members of the tennis club, to selling school uniforms for a number of years, and opening their garden for the National Gardens Scheme.

Husband Bob, 76, passed away at Northampton General Hospital on December 1, after battling Parkinson’s disease. Judy, also 76, passed away on December 16 in Kettering General Hospital.

Loving couple Judy and Bob Pooley /Kettering and District Guide Dogs

placeholder image — Loving couple Judy and Bob Pooley /Kettering and District Guide Dogs

Fellow Guide Dogs volunteer Judith Beeby said: “They had been volunteers for Guide Dogs for 30 years, with Bob as chairman of the local fundraising branch and Judy as treasurer and trading secretary for most of this time, and they had been involved with the RNLI for even longer, in the same roles.

"Bob was the main speaker for Guide Dogs in the area for several years, visiting many of the schools locally, as well as other youth organisations and adult groups, always accompanied by one of their dogs, which were all ones who hadn’t made the grade as actual guide dogs, but were very good at public relations work.

"In her role as trading secretary, Judy was always happy to be invited to an event offering the opportunity to sell merchandise on behalf of both charities to boost the fundraising each year, but her most outstanding event was doing a wing walk, along with another volunteer, which produced the best year’s profit ever.”

RNLI community manager Emma Cunnington said: “Bob and Judy were two of the loveliest people you could ever meet, and I was fortunate to spend some quality time with them at their home last year. They were incredibly passionate about the RNLI and had volunteered for over 25 years.

Kettering, Newlands Centre, guide dog paid for by centre. L-r Neil Griffin (centre manager), Amanda Allen (puppy walker), Treacle the puppy, Judy Pooley and Bob Pooley (Guide Dogs Kettering, Corby and district fundraising branch committee members) in 2006

"They raised what is likely to be, hundreds of thousands of pounds for the RNLI over their 25 years. They will be a huge loss to the charity and to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing them."

Guide Dogs community fundraising manager Mandy Loveder said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bob and Judy Pooley, much-loved and long-serving supporters who dedicated nearly 30 years of their lives to Guide Dogs.

"Over three decades, Bob and Judy have given their time, energy, and hearts to the charity. They played a huge role in fundraising for the Kettering, Corby and District branch, for which we are incredibly grateful. Alongside this, they have also been rehoming guide dogs since 2004 including their most recent addition to the family, Simpson.

“They were well known for their kindness, reliability, and enthusiasm and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing them.

Wing walk Judy Pooley and Wendy Wright - Guide Dog Alex Memorial fund

“Our thoughts are with their family, friends, and fellow volunteers at this very difficult time.”

Away from their fundraising efforts, Bob and Judy had been enthusiastic barn dancers, and in fact one of the last events Judy organised was the Christmas barn dance held at the Athletic Club at the beginning of December, although she wasn’t able to attend, as she had been admitted to hospital that morning.

As well as ballroom dancing while Bob was still fit enough, Judy was also a member of Cobbled Together, the local clog dancing side.

Judy was also a keen gardener, and finally fulfilled a long standing ambition two years ago when the couple opened their garden for the National Gardens Scheme, and the proceeds from the sales of refreshments and plants were donated, as always, to Guide Dogs and the RNLI and additionally to Parkinson’s UK.

Judith added: “Tributes that have already been paid about them describe them as unsung heroes who worked tirelessly and selflessly in relation to their charitable work, much loved and admired, a wonderful caring and hard working couple who will be a sad loss to us all and a very hard act to follow.”

Their joint funeral will be held in the Edgar Newman Chapel at Kettering Crematorium on Monday, January 19 at 2pm.

Donations are being greatly received for Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, RNLI and Parkinson's UK, charities Bob and Judy supported for many years.