Disability champion Byron Oliver from Hythe dies aged 72

A HYTHE man who dedicated years of his life to helping disabled people like himself has died aged 72.

Byron Oliver supported local initiatives and charities such as Disability Days at Beaulieu, Solent Dolphin and Unity 12.

Born at the former Fenwick Hospital in Lyndhurst, the second son of Betty and Howard Oliver, Byron was diagnosed with cerebral palsy aged three.

His parents made the difficult decision to send him to the Dame Hannah Rogers School in Ivybridge, Devon, where they visited as often as possible between Byron returning to his Hythe home during the holidays. Being a residential school that specialised in helping children with cerebral palsy, it was believed the establishment could give Byron the best start in life.

“This was a very happy time for Byron,” said his family. “He made several lifelong friends at the school, including best friends Pete and Di Leech with whom over the years he has spent many happy occasions.

“During his years there Byron would play the mouth organ at the Sunday church services. In later life he would sometimes threaten to play it, and his family has just found a set of panpipes in his flat – perhaps he was thinking of giving them a surprise performance at some point.”

At the age of 16, Byron moved to St Loye’s College in Exeter, which helped people with disabilities to develop skills and overcome barriers to achieving their potential.

He gained bookkeeping qualifications, which were utilised when he returned home and began working for the family business.

Byron later took up a position with Lyndhurst Printing before going into partnership with his older brother Carey, supplying garden centres throughout the south of England.

Carey was the frontman and Byron kept everything running smoothly in the office.

As a passionate supporter of people with disabilities, Byron helped Pearl Pleydell-Bouverie, Lord Montagu’s grandmother, to set up Disability Days at Beaulieu, taking part himself in some of the activities.

In later years he worked voluntarily for Solent Dolphin where he became an operations co-ordinator and director, and was also a director for Unity 12, a Southampton-based organisation which helped people with disabilities live independently.

“These he served selflessly with great enthusiasm right until the day before he passed away,” said his family.

“Byron was a kind, caring and compassionate man who was always smiling and ready to show his great sense of humour. He always made time for people and was ready to listen. He didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘no’.

“He had many life-limiting health challenges to deal with throughout his life but we never heard him complain or become angry.”

Byron had many interests in the course of his lifetime, particularly in his younger days when he enjoyed swimming, archery and ceramics. In later life, he loved following Formula One racing.

Byron lived independently in Shore Road, Hythe, and was a well-known figure around the village.

“This life was supported by his carers, or his ‘girls’ as he liked to refer to them,” said his family. “A group of five lovely ladies. So, thank you Chris, Lauren, Kerry, Steph and Jade for your many years of loyalty and unfailing support to Byron.

“Also, thank you for the amazing support that his neighbours gave to him, sometimes helping him out with crazy situations that he found himself in. He valued you all.”