TRIBUTES have been paid to a Dorset woman who was ‘dedicated’ to wildlife.

Sue Chamberlain, 59, died after a battle with cancer. Mrs Chamberlain was described as ‘the lynchpin’ of the campaign group Dorset for Badger and Bovine Welfare and a funeral service held at West Stafford Church last week was packed with people she had met and worked with in various organisations.

Former Queen guitarist Brian May even paid tribute to Mrs Chamberlain.

Writing on the Facebook page of his wildlife charity, Save Me, he said: “Sad news today at the loss of an amazing woman dedicated to compassion. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time.

“The wonderful Sue Chamberlain, of Dorset Badger and Bovine Welfare, has created a legacy that will shine brightly into the future. Sadly missed by wild and domestic animals especially the badgers and the cows.”

Andrew Butler, a former member of Dorset for Badger and Bovine Welfare, said: “Sue Chamberlain came to the very first meeting of what became Dorset for Badger and Bovine Welfare and she didn’t miss a single one from that moment on.

“We cannot overstate just how much Sue did to grow, maintain and keep the group grounded. Sue was our rock; our administrator, our merchandise queen, our fundraiser, coordinator, liaison with the authorities, the person who got things done, who made sure that when the badger cull came to Dorset that everyone knew where they needed to be in order to save as many animals as possible. Sue could be out in the field one night, and on the phone dealing with any problems that arose all the next day. Nothing was ever too much trouble, no problem was insurmountable.

“This is all the more remarkable given that Sue was fighting her own private battle against cancer, and on Wednesday 13 January it became the fight she could not win and the animals and a great many people lost a true and brave friend.”

Karin Snellock, press officer for the campaign group, said the church was packed at Mrs Chamberlain’s funeral, where songs by Queen were played. Paul Taylor, the Archdeacon of Sherborne, led the service.

Karin said: “She will be sorely missed. She was so dedicated to a lot of causes, and a really lovely person, always bright and friendly.”

Mrs Chamberlain leaves behind a husband and two sons.

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