MORE than 300 people packed into Bolton Parish Church to say goodbye to a man who worked tirelessly for people with disabilities and his local community.

Jim Heggie was 69 and left a legacy of work and inspiration. He led by example, having been forced into a wheelchair 43 years earlier.

Then, he was a corporal in the King’s Own Royal Border regiment on his third tour in Northern Ireland when a sniper’s bullet hit him in the chest.

During his rehabilitation at Lodge Moor Hospital’s spinal unit in Sheffield he met a young volunteer, a student nurse who later became his wife.

Together, Jim and Maureen made a life together, for many years in Eagley Bank, and Jim – previously a keen sportsman who played football and rugby, sailed and skied – came to terms with never walking again.

He started attending the Jubilee Centre in Halliwell, for people with disabilities, and re-kindled his love of sport.

He swam, played tennis and table tennis and, perhaps most significantly, was co-founder of Bolton Wheelchair Basketball team, later Bolton Bulls.

He was not only a player and coach but also became chairman, match secretary and table official during his years there. Jim was also an influential mentor and a daily example of someone who believed in getting on with life and trying to help others get on with theirs.

He was with Maureen in all the local community work she did for Team Eagley Bank and around Sharples.

“Jim did so much,” recalled Maureen. “He didn’t make a song and dance about it, he just did it. But he made such a difference to other people’s lives.”

He was described as “the heart of the family” and leaves a son Jack and a much-loved grandson Harry.

Many people in wheelchairs, servicemen and representatives from all areas of Bolton life including the Mayor, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, were in the Parish Church on Friday to hear tributes to the man who offered a helping hand to so many.