THE founder of a much-loved animal sanctuary is looking back on his life after being told he has terminal cancer.

Ernie Clark, 84, and his wife, Paula, who died last year of cancer, helped hundreds of animals over the years through Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, in Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood.

But sadly Mr Clark, who first started the sanctuary in north Benfleet, is now fighting his own battle with liver cancer and may not live to see another Christmas.

The inspirational man, from Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, told the Echo about his colourful life, including setting up Hopefield in the 1980s, and his fervent wish to see the sanctuary live on.

However, with more than 200 horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, and other animals to feed and look after, Mr Clark knows times will be tough for the six trustees left to carry on his and Paula’s good work.

He said: “I am not afraid of dying. I’ve had a good life and it’s been a really full life.

“But I do worry about the sanctuary. I want it to go on forever. It’s my legacy.”

Merchant Navy man Ernie only became involved in animal welfare late in life.

He was in his sixties, and just retired from working for P&O, when he and Paula decided they had to do something to help a group of horses left on Rainham Marshes, in Havering.

The animals had been neglected. Thirsty and starving, they had started drinking from ditches filled with contaminated water from a nearby chemical plant.

Although many died, the couple rescued about 20.

After receiving support and donations from the public, they decided to set up their own sanctuary.

Their first site was a privately owned one-acre plot in north Benfleet, off Pound Lane.

But this soon became too small and the entourage moved to an 11-acre site off Dry Street, in Langdon Hills, where they stayed for three years renting the fields off a farmer.

When the farmer sold the farm they moved again, this time to their current 56-acre site in Brentwood.

Mr Clark was born in Mile End, the third youngest of ten children, to an Irish mother and a Cockney father.

Ernie and his brother saw action during the Second World War.

Ernie recalls being posted to India and Burma, working in the air supply division of the Royal Army Service Corps.

There he met US child actor Jackie Coogan, who later went on to play Uncle Fester in the TV show the Addams Family.

Mr Clark said: “Jackie was a lovely fellow and great fun. We used to fly with the RAF and US to drop supplies over Burma.”

He left the Army in 1947 and joined the Merchant Navy, where he spent the next ten years travelling the world working as an engineer below deck.

He said: “I had a wonderful time, had lots of experiences and met different people.”

It was while Ernie was with the Merchant Navy that he met Paula, who he was married to for 52 years.

They had one son, Lee, 51, who lives in Dagenham, and three grandchildren, Bradley, 25, Scott, 22, and Jordan, 19.

After quitting the Navy, Ernie joined P&O, but took early retirement when he was 62.

In 2008, Ernie and Paula were awarded MBEs by the Queen in recognition of their 27 years of service to the sanctuary Last year Ernie picked up a lifetime dedication award, from the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Ernie may not have long left, but he is not handing over control of the sanctuary just yet.

He said he plans to use every last ounce of his strength to secure the future for his beloved sanctuary.

To help or donate, call 01277 201110 or visit the website www.hopefield.org.uk