Lorraine Herrington - A tribute by Cllr K Trott and read at Lorraine's funeral.
 

A small woman with a very large personality and indomitable spirit!

 

I first met Lorraine, and her devoted husband and carer Richard, when I was elected to Fareham Borough council and found out about F.A.G – Fareham Access Group.

 

This group was set up in 1996, with the motto, ”Disability doesn’t stop us” and that was certainly true of Lorraine.

 

 

 

She was the Chairperson and lead activist of the group whose purpose is to enable disabled people in Fareham to work together to:

  • Improve access to shops, leisure and public areas
  • Identify the problems: steps, curbs, handrails, signs, lighting, noise etc .
  • Work with local council, retailers and service providers to make changes
  • Advise companies and organisations at the planning stage, so they avoid problems
  • Spread the word that disabled people should be treated equally.

I am sure that everyone here will acknowledge that Lorraine certainly did that!

 

To quote her friend Gill Utting, “she was absolutely fearless when dealing with businesses and authorities.”

 

Lorraine and Richard edited the Fareham Access group newsletter, which informs people about their rights, various campaigns and also has with links to national information websites.

 

Here are just a few examples of public service Lorraine led the group to give;

 

From 2001 she led the group in their campaign to improve access to the Meon Shore near Hill Head sailing club. Very many residents and visitors are grateful for this.

 

She was also part of a working group linking with QA hospital, helped with the design of the first floor service centre at the Civic offices, campaigned for improvements at the Lloyds TSB bank in Portchester and at the Apollo Cinema in Fareham.

 

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to attend FAG meetings. Lorraine, who I nominated as one of Fareham’s Citizens of Honour, was a shining example of public service and determination to carry on regardless.

 

On the 4th of May this year, as almost my last event as Mayor, I accepted an invitation from Lorraine to start, and take part in, the sponsored walk, by FAG members and friends around Cams Hall golf course from Shearwater Avenue, to help raise funds for the Fareham Easy Access trail. This project, begun by a F.A.G steering group in 2002, was one of Lorraine’s goals and her last project, which we hope will be her legacy, a three mile coastal walk which will be accessible to everybody.

 

Although life for her was difficult, what a difference she made to the world!