DISABLED Colin Medley, who was 69, never let his cerebral palsy get the better of him.
He taught himself to read and swim and was a tireless worker for disabled charities in Huddersfield.
His sister Margaret Medley cared for him for much of his life and won an Examiner award for her caring.
She said: "He had a full life despite being disabled.
"He managed to stay at home and live with our mother and me and never needed to go into care.
"I never realised so many people knew him and loved him until his death was announced."
Mr Medley, of Russett Grove, Newsome, was disabled from birth but attended ordinary schools before receiving special education.
His mother Phyllis, who started The Spastics Society in Huddersfield, was determined he should better himself and encouraged him to learn to read.
Mr Medley was a keen classical music fan and was a regular at concerts at Huddersfield Town Hall.
He was also very keen on sport and joined Sport For The Disabled. He learned to swim and won many medals in competitions for disabled athletes.
He was also a very keen fundraiser and for more than 50 years ran a stall at the annual Autumn Fair organised by Scope, formerly The Spastics Society.
A well-attended funeral service was held last Friday at Huddersfield Methodist Mission at Lord Street.
