Former All Black Sir Colin Meads is being remembered by a disability group for his loyalty.
The 81-year-old passed away yesterday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The chief executive of the IHC Foundation says he dedicated a lot of time to helping out.
"He was always available for IHC, whether it was at the local level, King Country or nationally," Ralph Jones told Newshub.
"He loved to tell the story of course about in 1974, how a couple of local members approached him to join the local branch, and after a couple of hours' discussion, Colin took it up - as the president."
Mr Jones says Sir Colin promised to support them for two years, but stayed on for 43. He
"He always would have an affinity with people with an intellectual disability - whether it was taking a boy to rugby or assisting the local rugby team, whatever it was - fundraising at the local level - Colin would do it."
Mr Jones says the efforts of Sir Colin's membership and work in the group will live on in his name.
"For us, Colin was a distinguished life member… he will be sadly missed by the IHC family."
Newshub.
