Tributes have been paid to Sir Bert Massie, disability campaigner and former Commissioner for the Compact, who died on Sunday aged 68 after a battle with cancer.
Massie spent many years in the sector, including as chair of the Disability Rights Commission from 2000 to 2007, as well as being a trustee to a number of organisations including Motability.
He was Commissioner for the Compact from 2008 until it was abolished by government in 2011. Massie also sat on the Panel for the Independence of the Voluntary Sector.
Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said of Massie: “It was with great sadness that I learned of Bert’s passing.
“He was a doughty campaigner for people with disabilities and he also played a strong role as an erudite commentator for the wider voluntary sector. He was also a magnificent chairman of the former Disability Rights Commission.
“More than that, he was just a lovely man.”
Gillian Morbey, chief executive of Sense said: “He made an enormous difference to the lives of people with disabilities and will be greatly missed.
“On a personal level, Bert had a great sense of humour, so passionate for the cause and always remained approachable and down to earth.”
Other tributes were made on Twitter:
Very sad to hear that Bert Massie has died. Lovely man who made an enormous difference for the rights of disabled people.
— Richard Hawkes (@R_Hawkes) October 15, 2017
Such very sad news. Bert Massie has died - a civil society hero, huge personal support to so many of us, and exceptional campaigner.
— Julia Unwin (@juliaunwin) October 15, 2017
Very sad to hear Sir Bert Massie passing away, honoured to work, lobby, campaign with him during early 1990s until new DDA in 1995. RIP Bert pic.twitter.com/2nC516ERQR
— David Buxton (@DavidBuxtondc) October 15, 2017
Very sorry to hear that Sir Bert Massie has passed away. He was a Disability Rights Commissioner, @MossleyHillLab member and a lovely man. pic.twitter.com/CFBKnLppyo
— Nick Small (@CllrNickSmall) October 16, 2017
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