A FEISTY councillor who once chained herself to a train to highlight the lack of disabled access on the London underground has died.
Shirley Virando, whose funeral was held on June 20 at St Laurence Church, Church Road, Cowley, was a councillor for Colham ward from1994-1998.
The former Labour councillor, of Dickens Avenue,Hillingdon, was 46 when she died after a short illness.
She was well regarded for championing the rights of the more vulnerable members of society and chaired the council's equal opportunities forum.
She demonstrated when the new Hillingdon Station was being completed, as she felt the rights of disabled people to travel from there were being ignored.
Anthony Way, leader of the Labour group on Hillingdon Council, said he,and her former councillor colleagues, were very sad to hear the news.
"Shirley was a great champion for equalities and she was a pleasant person to work with and campaign alongside.
"I have known her since the early 1990s and particularly remember her at Hillingdon station when she chained herself to a train. This helped highlight the problem and led to lifts being put in there."
Angela Weggener,chief officer of the charity Disablement Association Hillingdon, said: "Shirley has always been a champion of disabled rights and has helped make people aware of the issues. We have been very grateful for her support."
Ms Virando leaves her husband Ken Brockwell, who she married a year ago, and a 26-year-old daughter.
* Donations can be made to Michael Sobell House c/o Hillingdon Funeral Services, 1 Whiteleys Parade,Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon.
