THE grandchildren of a "lovely and kind" grandad and army veteran who died suddenly have been fundraising in the community to help cover the cost of his funeral.

Mark Hiscock, who was aged 58 and had lived in Ludgershall for 42 years, was taken to Salisbury Hospital after experiencing chest pains and died on Tuesday, August 1.

Brother and sister Callum and Maisie Holmes, who are 14 and 13-years-old respectively, have been busy fundraising to help cover the cost of his funeral, which was held on Friday, September 15.

Mark's daughter Kirsty Holmes, who is mum to Callum and Maisie, said the funeral cost more than £4,000.

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After the siblings overheard the family worrying about covering the bill they immediately wanted to help.

The pair came up with the idea of offering to help their neighbours in Ludgershall with "little jobs" including gardening and dog walking to raise money to help pay back the funeral costs and raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Callum will also take part in Andover Parkrun while Maisie plans to organise a cake sale.

Callum said: "I felt like I really wanted to do my bit to help so we have been doing little jobs for people. It makes me feel really good to help."

He said his grandad, who was a former cadet and a member of the Royal Corps of Signals in The British Army, gave him his army cap and would always talk about his career with him.

"My favourite memory of grandad is him picking me up in his wheelchair from primary school with a buggy board attached to the back. He had me, Maisie and our uncle Jack, who is a year older than me, on the back. It was a great laugh," said Callum. 

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Maisie added: "Mine and Callum's aim is to raise money towards my grandad's funeral and the British Heart Foundation.

"My favourite memory of my grandad is going to Cotswold Wildlife Park and our big family Christmas meals with over 40 of us and having to book out a hall. I miss my grandad so much and I will never forget him."

Kirsty also paid tribute to her dad who she said was a "lovely and kind man who was always helping anyone he could".

She added: "When I heard about what the children wanted to do I felt so unbelievably proud of them."

The youngsters are also collecting items to sell at a car boot sale and have so far raised £130. 

To help them in their fundraising efforts visit gofund.me/a2c8d3d0.