A "KIND-HEARTED" charity boss from Denholme who died while trying to cross one of Bradford's busiest roads was only in that part of the city centre because she had caught the wrong bus, her family believe.

June Martin, 62, was pronounced dead at the scene after a collision with a grey Vauxhall Astra on the A650 Wakefield Road, near the junction with Hall Lane, at about 5.50pm last Thursday.

Fond tributes have been paid to the mother of seven, who set up Mpika Village of Hope (formerly Mpika Relief Fund) in 2004 to support orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia, raising funds through a shop in Denholme and another unit in Black Dyke Mills, Queensbury.

With a determination to help people who were struggling, June often used her favourite phrase: "Love conquers all."

Gillian Matley, one of June’s daughters, spoke about her mum's "love for life" and how the tragedy had unfolded.

Gillian said: "We believe that she caught the wrong 620 bus and realised that she was on the wrong one and got off. That’s the only logic we can think. She was meant to be on the bus going the other way. There are two 620 buses and one goes via Wakefield Road. It’s just such a silly thing, but so serious at the same time.”

June was born in Leeds, attended Crossgates Secondary School and, in earlier life, was involved with the anti-nuclear movement. She also studied herbal medicine, homeopathy, meditation and philosophy, before moving to Denholme with her family in 1999.

A landmark moment that shaped June’s future came in 1995, when she met and became close friends with Jennifer Mussakanya.

The friendship led to the creation of June’s charity, after initially raising money for famine relief in Mpika, Zambia, when Mrs Mussakanya’s parents were in danger of starvation, in 2002.

The charity went from strength-to-strength thanks to the will of those involved and in 2005, the building and land that became the Mpika Village of Hope Orphanage and Peniel School was purchased.

Gillian said: “If everyone was half as kind as my mum, the world would be a much nicer place.

“The ripple effect of her work in terms of education is far greater than just looking after the orphanage – some of our orphans and other students have received scholarships.

“She had got a primary school, a secondary school, two farms there (in Zambia) as well as the orphanage, which is the only orphanage left in north Zambia because so many have failed due to corruption.

“My mum had a love for life itself. She did so much and would work hard to help people who were struggling. She was never down. She always had a smile on her face. She had so much love for people.

“She helped so many people outside the charity as well. In England, she has been a massive support for homeless charities, asylum seekers and refugees.

“Her favourite saying was ‘Love conquers all’ – and it’s true.”

Pople in Denholme said they were shocked to hear of her death.

One resident said she was well known and liked in the village.

He said: “We were shocked at the news. It’s dreadful."

Another resident said: “I was shocked to hear of it. The village is shocked."

Landlord of Black Dyke Mills, Paul Clark, knew June through her work at the shop within the complex and described her as a “kindly lady”.

Nora McWilliam also knew Mrs Martin from Black Dyke Mills.

She said: “We were neighbours on the mill yard.

“June was enormously helpful to us when setting up our venue.

“You always thought of her as somebody really kind-hearted and passionate about the charity she was running.”

Mrs McWilliam said: “She worked extremely hard for her charity that had a real impact and it’s a real tragedy.”

The driver of the Astra, a man in his 30s, has been spoken to by police.

Officers are continuing to appeal for information about the crash.

The Major Collision Enquiry Team are asking anyone who witnessed it, or who may have dash cam footage which will assist, to contact them on 101, or use the reporting options on the West Yorkshire Police website.

The log reference is: 1406 of 14 November.