HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a woman who fostered 200 children, after she lost a battle with a rare disorder which sees the immune system attack nerves.

Ellen Player, 82, from Basildon touched the lives of so many youngsters and was made an MBE by the Queen in 2006.

She lost her battle with Dementia and Guillain-Barre Syndrome after fighting Covid-19 and died on December 23.

Paula Stevens, 54, of Basildon, who was one of her adopted children, paid tributes to a wonderful woman.

She said: “She was a beautiful woman and was so kind and lovely.

“She was compassionate and caring and was a devoted Christian and used to say she wished she had bigger arms to care for more children.

“She put herself last and she just radiated love and compassion and was an extraordinary woman.

“When children came into our home they were really welcomed. She adopted four children long term and had two of her own.

“It was always hectic but was good fun and I have so many fantastic memories and I am so proud to say she is my mum. We have so many great memories but one that sticks out is how she always used to win the mums’ race at our school sports day.

“Lots of friends and people are coming forward now and talking about that.

“When she arrived, the headteacher used to approach her with chocolates as he knew she would win the race.

“Our dad has surprised us and is dealing with the loss much better than we had expected but we’re all struggling and it’s hard even thought we knew it was coming.”

Mrs Player was involved with training and mentoring other foster carers, as well as voluntary work with the Girls’ Brigade and families with disabilities.

She ran Sunday schools and launched the Basildon Toy Library and Basildon Saturday Club.

As well as fostering more than 200 children and adopting four of them, Mr and Mrs Player ended up having a second child of their own in 1969.

The funeral will be held at Bowers Gifford Crematorium on February 2 and an online link will be available on request – call East of England Co-op Funeral Service 01206 793492 for details.

A tribute page has been set up in her name for Alzheimer’s Society and Barnardo’s.

To donate see /ellenplayermbe.muchloved.com//