- Home
- /News
Statement: The death of Claire Rayner
Chief Executive of the Patients Association Katherine Murphy would like to release the following statement to pay tribute to the work of our President Claire Rayner.
"I would like to join with everyone involved in the Patients Association in expressing my deep sadness at the death of our much loved President, Claire Rayner.
"For almost 30 years, Claire devoted much of her time and energy to championing patient issues. She was a figure head and inspiration to us all. She cared deeply that the voice of the patient should be heard, and worked tirelessly to ensure patient care issues were given prominence. She was a wonderful person, an inspiration to us all and she will be much missed by everyone.
"There are not enough words in the dictionary to describe Claire; and words will not do justice to what she has achieved. She had a huge positive effect on the nation and she made a real difference to millions of peoples' lives; for the right reasons she was a real fighter for patients – her strength of personality, her character and her very positive approach is the wonderful legacy she has left us at the Patients Association. Claire will be a huge loss to everyone. She touched the heart of the nation."
Speaking to BBC London Radio Chief Executive Katherine Murphy speaks movingly about Claire, her work and our feelings at her loss:
Patients Association Vice Presidents and friends Baroness Helena Kennedy QC and Sir Richard Branson paid the following tributes:
"Claire was one of my closest friends. She was an extraordinary woman - passionate, committed, warm and exuberant. She was the best of company and could always be found in the middle of a laughing, adoring crowd. The key thing about Claire was that she was a campaigner to her toes - her mission was to improve the lot of others and she did it with great humility and common sense. But in the other corners of her life she also managed to write novels and agony aunt columns and to be a great mother, wife and fabulous friend. Her energy left you breathless. Claire Rayner was a great force for good in British society. I feel bereft."
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC
“I remember the night Claire got me up against a wall and wouldn’t let me go until I said yes! This is how this remarkable woman got me involved in the Patient’s Association – the wonderful organisation she started and which will continue to ensure her legacy lives on. Clare Rayner simply refused to take no for an answer! Claire touched the lives of millions by tirelessly fighting for the rights of patients and was a brave early advocate of safe sex and fighting for women’s rights – subjects few would openly tackle at the time. Her brilliant sense of humour and persistent focus on doing right by those who were not heard will always be a great inspiration to us all. Let’s make sure that we work hard on behalf of patients in the UK so that Claire’s amazing work has not been in vain – let’s prove this amazing woman truly was unstoppable when it came to patient’s rights!”
Sir Richard Branson
The Rayner family have asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to the Patients Association.
Have Your Say
Weekly News Round Up 01.10.1004.10.10
Sign Up
If you would like to become an E-Member of the Patients Association for free, simply enter your email address below. You will receive a copy of our free weekly news round up:
To find out how to become a full member of the Patients Association click here
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Statement: The death of Claire Rayner
