By Matthew Barrett
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Following the death of the Chairman of the West Oxfordshire Conservative Association, Christopher Shale (pictured), David Cameron released the following statement:
"Sam and I were devastated to hear the news about Christopher. He was a great friend and has been a huge support over the last decade in west Oxfordshire. A big rock in my life has suddenly been rolled away. Christopher was one of the most truly generous people I've ever met - he was always giving to others, his time, his help, his enthusiasm and above all his love of life. It was in that spirit that he made a massive contribution to the Conservative Party both locally and nationally. Our love and prayers are with Nikki and the family. They've lost an amazing dad, west Oxfordshire has lost a big and wonderful man and like so many others Sam and I have lost a close and valued friend."
Mr Shale was found dead in a portable toilet at the Glastonbury festival earlier today. There are conflicting reports as to the cause of death. Some talk of a heart attack, some of suicide. A paper he had written on party membership had been prominently reported in today's Mail on Sunday.
He had been an annual participant in the Conservative Party's Project Umubano in Rwanda. This is what he wrote on the party website:
"2011 is my fifth visit to Rwanda with the Project. I've never missed one trip, and I hope I never will. I have hundreds of happy moments from Rwanda. It has always been such a mix of people, all ages and talents, learning from and laughing with our Rwandan partners – some of the most inspirational people I have ever met. I’d urge people to do whatever necessary to raise the money to visit Umubano."
Below is a photograph of Christopher Shale during Project Umubano in July 2007, at the opening of the refurbished Girubuntu school in Kigali.
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