CAMPAIGNER Tony Ryan was laid to rest as friends and family remembered his fighting spirit.

Holy Rood Church, on Groundwell Road, was filled with people who wanted to pay their last respects to a well-loved local figure.

Tony battled with chronic renal failure for 37 years.

He died on Wednesday, February 20.

The service was emotionally charged, particularly during daughter Claire Ryan's poem, entitled The Final Whistle, written especially for the funeral.

She bravely paid tribute to their life together and the happy times they had enjoyed as a family, despite Tony's illness.

She said: "Your determination continued, it didn't subside.

"You ventured on, with friends by your side."

Monsignor Provost Richard Twomey, parish priest at Holy Rood Church, gave thanks for the life of Tony and highlighted his "commitment to life especially in times of illness".

In his eulogy he said: "We will remember him as a man of steel, a man who had grave issues and concerns."

He said it was this determination that had got him through tough times.

He also reflected that he was now at peace and reunited with wife Anne who passed away in 2001.

Of Claire, Monsignor Twomey added: "He would be extremely proud of you today."

The service had moments of particular poignancy for those who knew of the struggle Tony had gone through. The service also included a hymn recorded by members of Claire's teaching class from a primary school in Twickenham.

Tony remained interested in Claire's work as a schoolteacher and loved to hear about the children and get involved in their activities.

The eulogy made reference to Tony's love of football, particularly of refereeing, and his job at Union Carbide in Swindon.

Monsignor Twomey also mentioned Tony's instrumental role in the Swindon Kidney Patients' Association's campaign to get a dialysis unit in Swindon.

Before the funeral, Claire had also spoken of the large role religion had played in Tony's life.

He was a regular visitor to Holy Rood Church, when his health allowed him.

Claire said she hoped that, despite Tony's death, the legacy of what he achieved would continue and more people would be encouraged to join the donor register.