Tributes have been paid to a long standing and much loved stalwart of Merton’s voluntary sector who died suddenly yesterday.

Chris Frost, chief executive of Merton’s Voluntary Service Council (MVSC), passed away in her sleep in the early hours of Thursday, November 7, at the age of 67.

For nearly three decades Ms Frost has worked to support Merton’s voluntary sector and was one of MVSCs founding members when it was set up in 1985.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis, leader of the Council, said Merton was a “poorer place” without her and said he had made an “enormous” difference to the lives of people in Merton.

The night of her death Ms Frost had attended the Compact Awards which champions partnership working within local government where she was named the winner of this year’s chair's special award.

Last year Ms Frost won the leadership award when judges said Ms Frost was "one of the leading advocates” of partnership working in the country and had been “tireless” in her efforts to improve partnership working with the voluntary sector.

A spokesperson for MSVC said: “On Wednesday evening Chris attended the Compact Awards and was very proud to see The Merton Compact being shortlisted for all six awards, and winning the chair’s special award.

“This achievement epitomised her love for the voluntary sector in Merton and her firm belief in partnership working.

“Chris will be dearly missed and our thoughts are with her family at this very difficult time.”

Councillor Stephen Alambritis, leader of the council, said: “Our condolences go out to Chris’s work colleagues, friends and family at this very difficult time.

“Everyone at the council is in shock.

“Chris was a lively person who captured the spirit of what the voluntary sector is all about – energy, drive and enthusiasm.

“She made an enormous difference to the lives of people in Merton and was an ambassador for working in partnership.

“She will be sorely missed.

“Merton is a poorer place without her.”

Joe Irvin, Chief Executive of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, said: “Chris was a stellar presence in the voluntary sector and within our movement.

“She was both loved and admired as a passionate advocate for voluntary action and someone who made the seemingly impossible possible.

“Our movement has lost someone very special and our thoughts go out to her family.”

Please leave your tributes below.