Ann Sayer, MBE, a well-known volunteer with both the Landmark Arts Centre and Bushy Park in Teddington, has sadly passed away from coronavirus at the age of 83.

Unbeknown, even to her many friends Ann had a remarkable sporting past as long-distance walker and qualified as a British Centurion C599 for walking 100 miles in 24 hours and won a place in the Guinness Book of Records for her achievements.

In 1977 she completed the challenge in 20 hours, 37 minutes, 14 seconds. She was awarded the MBE for services to sport in 2005 and represented Great Britain in several 24 hour races.

Six foot tall Ann was once described by Chris Brasher as "the stuff of which empire is made."

Ann was one of the finest long-distance walkers ever produced by Britain, a GB international in two sports – rowing and walking – and undoubtedly one of its greatest female athletes.

Colin Muid, Chair, Friends of Bushy and Home Parks paid tribute to Ann, saying: "The Friends of Bushy and Home Parks were very sad to hear of Ann's death.

"Ann was a long-time member of the Friends and a volunteer for us in the Bushy Park Visitor Information Point.

"Ann was a gentle, kind and very modest person who loved the parks. Those of us who worked with her frequently, saw these characteristics in her engagement with visitors and our conversations with her.

"Her modesty meant that many of our volunteers, while knowing Ann as a colleague, had no knowledge of her amazing past successes.

"She was very tall and perhaps the phrase 'towering achievements' is also fitting to describe her. She was a good friend."

Lesley Bossine from the Landmark said: "Ann was one of the Landmark's volunteer stewards for over 20 years, meeting and greeting audience members and helping out at our fairs.

"She was also a regular student at our Botanical Art classes, taught by Teddington artist Marcia Hughes. Life had thrown Ann some real challenges over the past year, but she was always such a positive person. We will all miss her."

Read a fuller tribute to Ann Sayer in The Guardian