Rob Gronkowski pays heartfelt tribute after the death of ex-New England Patriots cheerleader

Rob Gronkowski has paid tribute to a former New England Patriots cheerleader and charity founder who died at the age of 61 last week, describing her as a 'great friend.'

Susan Hurley - whose CharityTeams organization helps nonprofits raise money through athletic events - passed away Saturday after a four-year battle with ovarian cancer, her family said in a statement.

Hurley spent decades running marathons and competing in Ironman distance triathlons to support charities, before she eventually founded CharityTeams in 2008 to harness athletic events as fundraisers. Her agency consulted with all Boston Marathon runners who were racing for charities.

The platform has helped runners and non-profits raise a staggering $42million over the past two decades, while she was also involved in the 'Gronk Playground' with Gronkowski earlier this year - a full $2m renovation of the former Charlesbank playground located in Boston's Charles River Reservation Esplanade.

Long before her inspirational charity work, Hurley was a cheerleader for the Patriots in the late 1980s.

Following the tragic news of her passing, Gronkowski shared photos of himself with Hurley at the opening of the Gronk Playground and wrote: 'We lost a good one this weekend. My family and I have known Susan Hurley for a long time. She was a great friend who supported us and our foundation more than words can express.

'Even more importantly, she helped countless Boston Marathon charity teams support so many great causes. She always did it out of love, her love of the game, her love of people, her love of helping others, and her love for the kids.

'Her smile, positivity, and strength inspired everyone, even while fighting cancer. Without Susan, there would be no Gronk Playground. Her legacy lives on through every kid it impacts each day.

'Forever part of Gronk Nation'.

Legendary ex-Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has also been left devastated by Hurley's passing, saying through his foundation: 'Heartbreaking news for so many of us. One of our fearless partners, Susan Hurley, has passed away. 

'Susan was an instrumental part of our Boston Marathon program, helping train and support our team of runners each year. We will miss you, Susan.'

Hurley's sons, Ryan and Max McGillivray, are set to take up leadership of CharityTeams along with some of her close associates.

In their statement, the family said her 'guidance' helped teams raise 'tens of millions of dollars' and 'thousands of first-time marathoners found the courage to believe, "you can do it."'

'Resilient, optimistic, and devoted to lifting up others, Susan’s faith in God was the foundation of her strength and purpose,' it said. 'We are grateful for the outpouring of love from the running and nonprofit communities and from the City of Boston and beyond.'