FRIENDS, family and colleagues of the late Keighley community activist Alex Brown gathered to celebrate his life this month.

The Octagon club in Sandbeds was packed with people who had worked with the tireless volunteer and campaigner over the past few years.

They queued up to pay tribute to the man who devoted his life to supporting people living on the former council estates of Keighley and the wider Bradford district.

Alex, from Braithwaite, hailed as a passionate residents’ champion and active supporter of social landlord Incommunities, died in April 13 this year.

The tributes are led by Geraldine Howley, group chief executive of Incommunities, which manages the thousands of former council houses across the district.

She was followed by other people who worked closely with Alex, including Bradford councillor Martin Smith, former Incommunities group chairman Dave Procter, and Matthew Walker, chairman of the Incommunities Housing Association Group Board.

Geraldine Howley said: “Alex was an absolutely committed tenant activist and community champion. He was a proud and passionate advocate for social Housing, especially for the Keighley community.

“As a tenant representative and board member for many years he gave tireless interest, loyalty and support to Incommunities and will be sadly missed.”

Alex was also Chair of the Bradford District Tenant and Residents Federation and Bracken Bank and District Community Association, his colleagues Steve Pickles and Linda Armstrong from the Federation also paid a heartfelt tribute.

A raffle at the event raised more than £100, which was shared between the Sue Belcher Centre at Bracken Bank and the Keith Thompson Centre, Braithwaite, both places where Alex spent a great deal of his time as a long-serving volunteer.

Alex’s daughter Katie reflected on her father, who had been ill for a number of years but continued to work tirelessly helping people – whether tenants or residents – and representing their interests.

District councillor Adrian Farley, who represents Keighley West Ward, was among those touched by the warmth of feeling for Alex during the celebration.

He said: “People were sharing their stories about Alex and his commitment to community activism. I had only known him since 2012 – he was one of the first people to contact me after I was elected and asked for a meeting to talk about what we could do together.”

Alex’s daughter, Katie, also volunteers with Incommunities, and following his death pledged to continue his “important legacy” with fellow tenants.