Gill Ogden: Tributes paid to councillor who raised thousands for charity

Councillor Gill Ogden was admired for her warm and principled approach towards her duties, colleagues have said

Tributes have been paid to a fundraising councillor whose death was announced at the weekend.

Gill Ogden, a North Kesteven District councillor, raised thousands of pounds for charities and was "respected and liked", colleagues said.

She was known for championing good causes and raised nearly £20,000 for two organisations in one year.

Council leader Richard Wright said he would miss her "sound advice and northern outlook on life".

Mr Wright said Ms Ogden had applied "practical, no-nonsense sense" to any issue and "always had the best for her residents" at the forefront of her mind.

"I'm personally very saddened by Gill's passing, as only a couple of weeks ago we spoke on the phone after a procedure that she believed was going to get her back on her feet," he said.

"Gill will be very sadly missed," he added.

'Kind and respectful'

Ms Ogden, who represented the Billinghay Rural ward for the Conservatives, joined the council in 2011 and was re-elected for her fourth consecutive term in May 2023.

In 2015, as chair of the council, she raised £19,400 which was split between the charities International Bomber Command Centre and Canine Partners.

Council chief executive Ian Fytche said Ms Ogden would be remembered as "a dedicated councillor, determined to make a difference for the people she represented".

Marianne Overton, leader of the Lincolnshire Independents group, described Ms Ogden as a "principled and pragmatic member" who was always "kind and respectful of all colleagues, regardless of political affiliation".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said arrangements to fill the vacancy left by Ms Ogden would be announced in due course.