A former British “spy” who had supported a Worcester Park hospice for 13 years until her death has left £455,000 in her will to the charity.

Daphne Louise Margaret Wakelen, who was born in Croydon, had been supporting St Raphael’s Hospice since 2003 – buying raffle tickets and attending events.

She asked her friends to donate to the charity instead of gifting her with birthday presents for her 90th birthday in 2013.

But it was after she passed away in August 2016 that it was revealed she had left nearly half a million pounds to St Raphael’s Hospice - which is based in London Road.

The generous donation means it will pay for every service for an entire month.

Born in March 1923, Ms Wakelen lost her father at just 13 years old and discovered her younger brother Charles had learning disabilities – meaning both her and her mother would need to care for him.

She was 16 when the Second World War broke out and, at 20, volunteered with the Special Operations Executive (SOE) – a covert organisation – in 1944.

The SOE specialised in operations such as espionage, sabotage, and guerilla warfare during the war.

Disguising herself as a clerk stenographer, this transformed Ms Wakelen’s life as she joined the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry, travelling through Europe and the Middle East.

But it also meant she had to take evidence of the goings-on in concentration camps at the height of the world war.

It was after 37 years’ service that she retired in 1983, living out the rest of her life with travelling, opera, theatre, and ballet, while caring for her brother Charles.

Ms Wakelen dedicated herself to ensuring her sibling was well cared for until he died in 1996.

St Raphael’s Hospice has since expressed their gratitude to her for the support they received and the £455,000 which was left in her will.

A spokeswoman said: “Many people lost a wonderful friend, or simply a woman who had beautifully touched their lives in some special way.

“It’s safe to say that Daphne’s life deserves its own film biography. Such a life is not lived very often – such a life of purpose, bravery, and indeed true kindness.

“People from all walks of life lead unique lives. However, it takes real character to live the life that Daphne lived.

“She left a legacy of a life as a caring sister, courageous spy, and loving friend.

“Thanks to her generosity and kind-heartedness in her donation to St Raphael’s Hospice, her legacy will live on.”