Disability Rights UK is extremely saddened to hear the news that Clare Gray, Disability advocate and activist, has passed away following a short illness.
Clare worked tirelessly to promote disability rights, with nearly twenty years of this at Shaw Trust, most recently as their Head of Disability Advocacy.
Clare was also a colleague during my own approximately seven years working for Shaw Trust. I had the good fortune of carrying out Clare’s London induction, at Shaw Trust’s then office at St Peter’s Centre in Wapping. Clare shared a funny story about injuring herself falling from her wheelchair while out partying. This naturally endeared her to me and all of my colleagues! And of course she didn’t mind me sharing that story with others when we met over the years since.
Clare is probably best known for her work on Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100, which ironically she wasn’t eligible for given her role. However she also spoke and presented widely, and set up and ran a number of successful initiatives within Shaw Trust.
Clare was a great ally of Disability Rights UK, and we benefitted from her ability to make disability advocacy, and rights, simple. She always had a smile on her face, and I can’t recall ever meeting her without leaving with a smile on mine. I, Disability Rights UK and the wider sector will miss her greatly. We send our deepest sympathies to Clare’s family, friends and colleagues.
