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Tributes paid to a disabled champion
TRIBUTES have been paid to a veteran campaigner for disability rights in Corby who has died.
Hugh Kinnaird died suddenly at his home in Burns Drive from a heart attack on February 21 at the age of 60.
The father-of-three had Parkinson's disease and was confined to a mobility scooter but had campaigned tirelessly for better access and rights for fellow users.
His wife Sally was too upset to talk, but his daughter Kerrie paid tribute to her father's legacy on behalf of the whole family.
The 22-year-old said: "My brother Shane called him the face of the disabled and that's how proud we were of him because he was helping a lot of people out.
"He was always wanting to help the disabled, even if it was just around the local area. He was getting kerbs dropped down just to help people out."
Mr Kinnaird led a very active life and was a painter and decorator until an accident 20 years ago led to him contracting spinal spondylitis.
As he became more disabled, he started to campaign successfully for improvements for disabled people including a new lift in the town centre and smoother pathways at East Carlton Park.
Kerrie said: "Some of the paths at East Carlton weren't smooth enough and some of them were quite steep, but he got them levelled out.
"And he helped get a new lift in Willow Place for people to get to the library, which he liked.
"They now benefit other disabled people and even mums with pushchairs."
Disability scooter user Willie Hall, 71, of Corby, was a close friend of Mr Kinnaird and they worked together in ensuring the needs of disabled users were met.
He said: "We met up about 10 years ago. We made disabled scooter users in Corby feel it wasn't the end of the world."
Mr Hall revealed that together with Mr Kinnaird, they successfully campaigned for a new disabled toilet in the town centre after one was removed without the offer of a replacement.
He said: "We were the thorn in the side of Corby Council and a number of people for generations of future scooter users in Corby.
"He will be sadly missed – I have no-one to disagree with now but I'm honoured to have been one of Hugh's friends."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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