TRIBUTES have poured in for a leading disabled rights campaigner from Greenock who devoted her life to helping other people despite her own serious health problems.

Brave Kathy McDade will be forever remembered for her tireless work with Inverclyde Council on Disability, Shopmobility and Your Voice.

Despite her own huge challenges she changed the lives of local disabled people, leading protests to stop drivers parking on dropped kerbs and fighting for equality in all areas of life.

Kathy suffered polio as a child which left her with disabilities and later in life she battled Lupus, a condition which attacks the immune system.

She also faced a battle with throat cancer four years ago.

But friends were deeply shocked when she told them she was in hospital for end of life care after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

She passed away weeks later, on Hogmanay.

Close friend Isabel Berry, who was also her one-time carer, said: "Kathy was an incredible woman with a big heart.

"She raised awareness of disabled rights and championed so many causes.

"She was independent right to the very end.

"I got to know her through ICOD, she used to turn up despite her own ill health to early morning dropped kerb protests - nothing stopped Kathy.

"She had polio as a young child and had to have numerous operations on her leg.

"Kathy was part of my family, she came on holidays with us, she was at our family weddings and we will miss her so much.

Kathy, originally from London, worked as a disabled rights officer before moving to Greenock with her late husband Andy, who came from the town, 30 years ago.

Isabel said her friend 'lived for her family'.

Even as her health failed Kathy continued to help others, supporting people where she could during lockdown and she was a volunteer for a MacMillan Cancer project run by local community care forum Your Voice.

Friend and fellow activist Johanna Stewart said: "She did so much and was a such a great friend to us all.

"We are all so sad.

"Kathy had a great sense of humour and made us laugh right to the end."

Your Voice spokesman Stephen Harrison said: "Everyone at Your Voice was shocked and saddened to hear about Kathy's passing.

"She was a regular and very popular attendee in our office, attending the digital peer support group and was part of our advisory network.

"She was also a Macmillan volunteer, providing information, signposting help and listening to people’s concerns.

"Kathy also assisted with Shopmobility, with stalls to raise awareness of the service and again providing information.

"She just loved talking people and always participated in anything that Your Voice was doing.

"She always talked about her love of her family and would bring pictures and updates of what they were up to every week.

"Everyone at Your Voice will miss her very much and we would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to her family."

Councillor Jim MacLeod, who worked closely with Kathy while running Inverclyde Council on Disability, added: "I am very sad to hear about Kathy's death.

"I knew Kathy well and encouraged her to join ICOD.

"She took over from me as chair and did a great job.

"She battled so many health problems but that didn't stand in her way of helping others.

"Kathy was an inspiration."

Kathy is survived by her son Marcus, four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.