A STALWART of the Cam community has died after a long battle against the MRSA superbug.

Cam Parish councillor David Winsor died in Stoke Mandeville Hospital on Thursday, March 3. He was 65.

Mr Winsor was wheelchair-bound for more than 40 years after being paralysed in a motorcycling accident but despite his disability he devoted his life to getting the best for the people of his adopted home.

He originally came from Peckham in south London but was moved out as an evacuee during the Second World War.

He moved to Cam while he was still at school after his father took a job in the area.

In 1962 he married Janice at Dursley Methodist Church and the couple had a son, Anthony, in 1963.

Mr Winsor's life changed dramatically in August 1964 when he became paralysed after the motorbike he was riding collided with a car just outside Cam.

His widow Janice said this week that he always had a positive outlook on life despite the disability.

She said: "David would always say that we were the odd ones and that he was the normal one.

"He dedicated his life to the village and people of Cam."

He was first elected to Cam Parish Council in 1973, serving as vice-chairman between 2003-2004, and was still a member at the time of his death.

His most lasting legacy will be the Orchard Medical Centre, opened in June 1989, which he fought so hard to bring to Cam.

Cllr Margaret Nolder, a parish council colleague for more than 25 years, said: "David always felt that Cam should be a very important part of the district.

"He put a tremendous amount of effort into his council work despite his disability and he really did do the very best for Cam.

"He will be very much missed by everyone."

Mr Winsor also gave many hours of his time to the Winterbottom Hall Management Committee and in 1999 his tireless community work earned him the Gloucestershire Medal for Courage.

A man with many varied hobbies, he spent many a Saturday afternoon at Ashton Gate watching Bristol City play, while more recently he took up sailing at Cotswold Water Park.

He also amassed an extensive stamp collection and spent a great deal of time tracing his family history.