Poignant goodbye to Inverness disability rights campaigner
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The funeral of an Inverness biker and disability rights campaigner has taken place today.
"He took life by the horns, and never let his setbacks stop him."
With these words Marie Sansum (75) described the enthusiastic and tenacious character of her son, David Lee Sansum, who sadly and unexpectedly passed away on February 26, aged 44.
David was a well-known figure, especially in bikers circles due to his lifelong passion for motorbikes – Harley Davidsons in particular.
He had also been campaigning to make Inverness a more accessible place.
Mrs Sansum said: "David was born with spina bifida and spent all his life in a wheelchair – but he never let this stop him.
"When he was young he would do things like archery and he even did rock climbing in a wheelchair.
"He gave everything a go – he swam a mile for charity and he cut his long hair to raise funds for charity. He never let life stop him."
David was active in championing disability rights from an early age.
"He went to mainstream school and did very well," his mum said. "Then, when he went to college, he became student disability liaison officer, and in that position he he explained about disabilities, raising awareness of what was out there and what help was available to disabled people."
He was also involved in championing the introduction of an accessible footpath at Chanonry Point when he was in his mid 20s.
He also ran in last year's council elections.
As a great lover of music – he was a huge fan of Meat Loaf – he was regularly seen at Eden Court shows.
However his biggest passion was motorbikes.
A regular participant in Thunder in The Glens since the start of the event, he was often seen at gatherings of fellow enthusiasts.
Mrs Sansum said: "Every year he attended all the rides and always wanted to be in it. We were a bit worried at first but he just loved it.
"Eventually we got him a trike in the shape of a motorbike and he could join in with the riders."
This passion connected him to Calum Girvan, who became first his carer then his friend.
"He had a good heart," he said. "I don't think anyone had a bad word about him.
"He loved a laugh, he was larger than life, he really was."
He remembered when in 2014 David was asked by the British Legion Riders Club – of which he was a honorary member – to lead their parade on a celebration day for armed services.
"He was really chuffed, all smiles," he said.
"When one of the people at the parade said 'well, we'll get ready and go', Davie just sped off down the road in this wee trike and the rest of the group had to catch up with him!
"One of his biggest dreams was to go onto Route 66. With the Thunder in The Glens organiser, who had known David for years, we spoke about raising funds for him to achieve this dream. But then Covid hit and everything shut down, and we had to put this on hold.
"However we were talking about trying to push it even more this year, to get enough funds to get him to go.
"We had been in touch with the army who organise tours for wounded veterans – as I am an ex service man, I could go with him and use this opportunity.
"We were getting close and his death was a big shock. I was away for a month and kept in touch with him, I could not believe it."
Mrs Sansum said: "We are devastated at his loss. His life was a trial, but he did his best and we are so proud of all he achieved."
David leaves behind his parents Michael and Marie, brothers Stephen and Matthew and his nieces whom he dearly loved.
His funeral service took place this morning at William Frasers & Son.
