A Sandbach man who championed disability rights and was vice chairman of a major voluntary and community led organisation has sadly died.

Craig Bayley who joined Sandbach Management Team in 2015 and was co-opted on to the partnership as vice -chairman at the the Sandbach Partnership in 2015, has passed away.

Craig was heavily involved with the Disability Resource Exchange which sadly closed in 2012 due to the lack of funding and set up Grassroots Disability.

A statement released by Sandbach Partnership said: "When Craig achieved his degree from South Cheshire College, which he was extremely proud of, he joined an organisation called Disability Resource Exchange as a volunteer.

"During this time he took on the role of advisor and was tasked with visiting organisations and businesses offering guidance.

"Craig remained in this role for around six years, until sadly the funding was withdrawn and it was forced to close its doors.

"He joined the Partnership about eight years ago, after meeting Dot Flint at a Sandbach Today Event.

"Joining the Partnership provided Craig with the opportunity to implement one of his life-long ambitions of setting up a Disability Group for people in and around Sandbach, resulting in the formation of Grassroots Disability.

"The Partnership and many other organisations in and around Sandbach came to rely on Craig as their local advisor on projects that were being undertaken.

"Craig was instrumental in many aspects of the renovation of Sandbach Park and many other projects in Sandbach, including the dropped kerb programme.

"Sandbach Partnership and Grassroots Disability were not only an interest for Craig - they were a vessel in which he became a very active member of his community, bringing representational change from the ground up and making the community accessible for all, something that he remained vehemently passionate about.

"Craig had a very sharp sense of humour, he was incredibly quick witted and would find the funny side of everything.

"He was a real inspiration to many of us. He never complained or saw his disability as holding him back, whatever he did he always did it with fire in his heart and a smile on his face.

"Rest in Peace Craig. You were an exceptional person who will be greatly missed by so many."