Geoff Grant sadly departed this world on May 6th 2007 following an enduring battle with his health. Our sincerest condolences to Shirley, and all of Geoff's family and friends.
LINKS: [Condolences
Book] [Gallery
Page] [Geoff's Jazz Page]
[Poem
by Gladys Taylor] [Geoff's
"Let's Learn About" Interview, November 2004]
[Cheeky
Monkey's jokes] [Contact
TAFN]
TAFN is a very young group that was first formed in 2003 and Geoff had already retired when he first joined us, prior to that he had had a long and interesting life, which you can find out more about by listening to the "lets learn about" interview linked above.
From when Geoff first joined TAFN he wanted to help other people straight away, he was like that. Friendly caring & committed, he soon became very well known in our online community and made lots of online friends. Along with his wife Shirley he organised and ran online events, including weekly live quiz nights held over the internet through 2004-5, which they did a splendid job of. And as Treasurer on our first committee in a crucial developmental stage for our group he did an excellent job of raising funds for TAFN.
A treasurer's job is especially demanding when over 90% of members are blind, and Geoff put in many hours of voluntary work, always acting with the greatest of efficiency. One example of his goodwill to TAFN was when in February 2006 he organised our first ever online charity auction, he took great pleasure in becoming our first ever auctioneer! Members from all across the country donated their goods for the auction and not only did the event have a record online attendance, but also Geoff's mastery of sales patter meant that an incredible thousand pounds was raised for the blind in a single night.
And yet this amiable jazz-loving character was so much more to TAFN than just an online volunteer. He was a musician and entertainer who was a friend to a great many people, one of his nicknames online was the "Cheeky Monkey" and he was known both online and off for his good sense of humour. He was always sociable and encouraging to others - something essential when you are reaching out to people who are sometimes housebound and often dependent on the confusing world of assistive technology.
Along with his wife Shirley, he volunteered on our national 0845 local rate helpline, and between the two of them they spent countless hours helping people with technical problems and enquiries on the phone. Geoff's friendly and patient nature ensured that in every case, when someone new phoned the helpline, they were sure to find a friendly diplomatic and encouraging welcome, along with whatever help they needed.
Geoff was fully behind the ethos of the accessible friends network, that not only could something major be done to help British blind & VI people via the internet, but also that with enough good will, the power of friendship and shared vision, absolutely anything is possible.
Geoff had as he would have put it "a good innings", and to hear more about his life please click on the interview link above (please do be aware that you will hear his voice in the recording). He always said that the greatest thing in his life was his wife Shirley. He really did make a huge difference at TAFN and will never be forgotten by his online friends.
"Love endures forever".
IDonations in memory
of Geoff may be made to
UHLCF (Cardiology) and sent c/o
Ginns & Gutteridge
Funeral Directors,
51 Vaughan Way, Leicester LE1 4NR
Telephone: (0116)
251 6117
Geoff was a dedicated and pioneering volunteer and former Trustee of The Accessible Friends Network, an independent charity supporting blind & VI people via the internet. Registration of www.geoffgrant.org was kindly paid for by donations from TAFN members.
This site is under development. We hope to include people's memories and tributes to Geoff, along with a condolences book and some of his favourite music. We've also got an audio interview, and photo gallery started, with some pictures from May 21st 2007. We sincerely hope to create a fitting online tribute to a wonderful man who will never be forgotten at TAFN.
Geoff lived near Melton Mowbray and the funeral - which was really a celebration of his life - was held on May 21st 2007 in Leicestershire. On behalf of TAFN we would like to thank Shirley and all of Geoff's family for a wonderful service which did Geoff proud. It was a day we will remember forever!
TAFN also held an online service simultaneously for those unable to attend in person. Special thanks to Gladys, Mary and Teresa for their help organising this.
LINKS: [A little about Geoff] [Condolences
Book] [Gallery
Page] [Geoff's Jazz Page]
[Poem
by Gladys Taylor] [Geoff's
"Let's Learn About" Interview, November 2004]
[Cheeky
Monkey's jokes] [Contact
TAFN]
The Accessible Friends Network is a UK registered charity,
No 1108043.
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This page created May 2007. All rights reserved.