TRIBUTES have been paid to an “inspirational” worker at WGC-based disability charity HAD, who has died.

Sue Howie, who lived in Codicote, died recently after complications following heart bypass surgery.

She was 66.

Sue started as a volunteer at HAD almost 20 years ago and rapidly became the visionary and inspirational manager of its equipment centre.

She quickly changed the organisation’s approach when she started to sell mobility equipment, and also created the centre’s multi-sensory room.

The room, designed to stimulate and enthuse young children with disabilities, will be re-named in her honour.

Sue also “named” HAD’s mobile equipment and advice vehicle, Ivanhoe.

Chief executive Annabelle Waterfield said: “We both travelled down to Dorset to take a look at the vehicle and decided that we should try and come up with a name for the then bright yellow lorry.

“As soon as Sue saw it she said ‘it’s name is Ivanhoe’ in such a way that it was never in doubt.”

Annabelle added: “I will miss her dreadfully.

“When we got very old we always planned to live in an old house fitted with all the latest mobility adaptations so we could cruise around the place like two ageing characters from Easy Rider.

“Sadly I’ll have to do it on my own now.”

The family connection continues at the equipment centre – one of Sue’s daughters, Tanya, is a valuable member of the present team.

Sue also leaves two other children, Fran and Chris, and four grandchildren.