HE was the inspiration for the QE2 Activity Centre at River Hamble Country Park and led a long and eventful life.

Peter Gardiner has died peacefully at his Hampshire care home, aged 66, the vaccine rollout having come too late to save him from coronavirus.

He was born in 1954 at a time when it was common for babies with Down's syndrome to be put into institutional establishments and their life expectancy was only 20 to 30 years.

But Peter remained at home with his loving family, parents Phyl and Chris and older sisters Elizabeth, Kate and Sally.

Life was challenging due to his severe learning disability, but never, ever dull.

Peter’s family have described him as sociable, mischievous and adventurous with a unique sense of humour.

Peter attended Tankerville Special School in Eastleigh, then went on to Bishopstoke (Training) Services and later, Southampton Special Workshop.

A sports fan, particularly football and wrestling, he took up riding after being gifted a pony for his 21st birthday.

This led to a growing realisation of the huge need for wider provision for disabled people to access and enjoy recreational activities that were readily available to everyone else.

For The Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, Eastleigh Borough Council asked residents to submit project ideas and Peter’s father Chris, who had worked for YMCAs around the country including Fairthorne Manor, put forward his suggestion of an activity centre for disabled people.

After fund raising, the centre was opened in 1978 by Princess Margaret and was later visited by Princess Diana and many other high-profile guests. Peter was introduced to Princess Anne when she visited as part of the centre’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

Chris became the Centre Warden, running the centre as a volunteer for its first seven years, and Phyl ran the evening club and canteen for the rest of her life.

Activities included riding, sailing, canoeing and archery, as well as evening clubs, discos and other social events.

Peter’s parents died in 1997, his father having been made an MBE and his mother a Citizen of Honour for their charity work.

He initially lived with one of his sisters before moving to specialist accommodation when he was ready. After he developed dementia in his 50s, Peter moved to Dove House at Rake, near Petersfield where he enjoyed life, chuckling over old Dad’s Army episodes as if seeing them for the first time.

Donations can be made to the QE2 Activity Centre, where a boat is being named in Peter’s memory.