Paralysed sailor Andrew Farrow, 48, from Devizes, died at home on July 7.

Mr Farrow suffered a spinal cord injury after he fell out of a tree eight years ago and turned to sailing last year.

Mr Farrow was due to take part in this summer’s international 2.4 metre class European Championships in the Netherlands.

When he had his accident in July 2006 Mr Farrow spent 14 months in the spinal unit at Salisbury District Hospital. He became a governor of the hospital in 2009.

A spokesman for the hospital said Mr Farrow was a passionate advocate for patients and used his role as governor to ask challenging and insightful questions.

The spokesman added: “Andrew had a great sense of humour, was respected and well liked by all, an inspiration to others and a great supporter of Salisbury Hospital. He will be greatly missed.”

Mr Farrow worked with other charities and organisations to help them fundraise including Splash and KFR, on Hopton Industrial Estate in Devizes, and also The Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon.

Jon Yates, development director of The Community Foundation, said: “Andrew volunteered for us about four years ago and worked on our One Degree More project that gives vocational grants and scholarships to disadvantaged children in Wiltshire.

“Andrew was very supportive and I always found him a really intelligent and caring guy, who was really keen to cut through all the red tape that charities and voluntary groups have to go through to get them raising funds for things that really mattered.”

Mr Farrow and his family moved to Devizes in 2003 when he bought the former Honeychurch Toy Gallery in Old Swan Yard, and renamed it The Toy Tree.

He used to work for the Millennium Commission, the Lottery distributor that funded the Eden Project and Tate Modern, but when his post became redundant he decided for a change of career and bought Honeychurch.

Mr Farrow’s funeral service was held on Tuesday at Salisbury Crematorium.