TRIBUTES have been paid to a tireless campaigner who organised children's' events, raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity and received the rotary’s highest honour.

Alan Nix MBE died earlier this month aged 85. He had been president of the Rotary Club of Thamesdown, honoured by the Queen and, in 1998, was one of only five UK Rotary members to receive the Service Above Self Award.

Speaking to the Adver in 2014, Alan said: “When you realise that the time is running out, as it were, it isn’t how much money you’ve got that matters at all.

“It’s looking back and seeing what contribution you’ve made – what has been worthwhile, what is of substance.

“So I’d recommend anybody, any opportunity they get, to do voluntary work. They should take it because it’s the only thing in the end that’s of any value. Not what you’re paid to do – that’s neither here nor there.”

Alan ran the Trynix motor company in Victoria Road, which was the first Saab dealership in Swindon, with his father and brother for many years, then managed the company on his own after they died.

He organised the Rotary Great Train Ride which enabled 500 special needs and deprived children from Swindon, Didcot, Chippenham and Bath to go on a hired GWR train to the Tropicana in Weston Super-mare and enjoy a day at the seaside.

Other forays into event organising included Rotary District 1,100 Kids Out Day at the Cotswold Country Park and the Rotary Regatta Raft Races on the River Thames.

He raised £4,000 annually for children’s charities as well as £13,000 sponsorship for a charity duck race, along with more than £140,000 for the annual Ridgeway walk.

One of his biggest projects was the Life Education Centre, which went round Swindon schools to help children make healthy choices when faced with the temptations of drugs, tobacco and alcohol.

Close friend and fellow Rotary past president Peter Goldsworthy described him as a kind mentor.

He added: “I am honoured to have been Alan's sponsor into Rotary, having known him as a friend and neighbour since 1961. He always had time to help anyone and this made him an enigma - for, as a used car dealer, that is not usually the norm.

"Alan passed the presidency of Thamesdown Rotary Club to me in 1992 and he had enjoyed his year as president but was having such a great time that I thought he would never get around to passing it on. This was also the evening that I was very proud to see him receive a Paul Harris Fellowship award.

"In later life Alan became an honorary member of Rotary and was going to take a little rest - and who could argue about that. But instead of sitting back, he became chairman of Lawns Community Centre and breathed new life into something that was almost closing when he took over and is now once again a thriving entity.

"I am very proud to recall Alan as my friend and want to quote something I have never forgotten - 'He was the best district governor that Rotary never had.'"

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland said: "I was extremely sad to hear that my good friend and Swindon community hero Alan Nix MBE has passed away.

Alan was heavily involved in some of the most successful projects in the town, including a mobile drugs education classroom and leading the way with Lawn Community Centre, where I have held some of my loneliness summits.

"Alan, who was awarded an MBE for his community work in Swindon, was also involved with the Rotary for 25 years and became involved with the cancer user services in GWH. He will be missed by many people here in Swindon."

Alan is survived by his wife Val, son James, daughter Sarah and younger brother Bernie. His funeral will be held at Kingsdown Crematorium on Thursday February 27 at 1.30pm (black clothing not essential) followed by a wake at Lawn Community Centre with tea, cakes and photographs.