TRIBUTES have been paid to a passionate community campaigner who has died suddenly.

Andreas Scheffler, 63, collapsed at home in Knightsdale Road, Weymouth. Sadly he could not be saved despite resuscitation attempts.

His sudden death came just after he had worked with others to get what it is hoped to be the first of many brand new life-saving defibrillators installed in the Westham community he worked so hard for.

Mr Scheffler, who was married to Bernice, known as Berry, had lived in Weymouth for only five years but his family and friends said he achieved so much for the area while he lived here.

They said he was passionate about the community working together to make a difference. One of his sayings was 'let's make it happen!'

Former drug worker Mr Scheffler became chairman of the Westham Community Group just last year and was instrumental in a campaign to try and tackle dealing and use of hard drugs which were affecting neighbourhoods.

The poster initiative, giving residents clear information on where to report issues, saw some positive results in the first few months with police being passed information and arrests being made.

Mr Scheffler was due to give an update on the campaign at a meeting this month, and was preparing to work on new initiatives to help tackle drug and alcohol misuse.

He believed strongly against building on the Marsh, and he galvanised a movement against the planning proposals.

His opposition to the proposed Recovery Hub in Abbotsbury Road was based upon his own professional experience – he agreed a need, but not the chosen location.

He stood for election to the borough council last year but lost by a handful of votes.

His wife Berry said: "Andreas was always full of life, energy, good humour and positivity. He hated apathy and became involved in local issues because he wanted to make a difference."

Born in Germany, Mr Scheffler travelled widely and came to England in the early 1970s where he later studied studied psychology and psychiatry.

He co-authored a book and also wrote a research paper into alcohol misuse and costs to the NHS – something he learnt about as a drug worker in Bristol and London.

Later, he working in computing and travelled in Europe and the Americas.

He and his wife moved to Weymouth from Surrey in 2012.

A keen sailor, Mr Scheffler joined the local sailing club, and also became a member of Chesil Sailability, which provides sailing opportunities for disabled people.

Chairman of Trustees at Chesil Sailability David Griffith said: "Although Andreas had only been a volunteer with Chesil Sailability for a season, all of us will miss his enthusiasm and willingness to help.

"I extend our condolences to his wife Berry and family."

Recently, Mr Scheffler was involved in trying to get funding to buy defibrillators for the local area. One was secured installed outside Wessex Pharmacy on Lanehouse Rocks Road. The money needed for the second defibrillator was awarded at around the time that Mr Scheffler died on January 2.

Westham councillor Cllr Christine James said: "Andreas was so community-minded. He cared very much about the area and his death is a great loss."