The Graymore Family has been my second family – or as Danny’s mother Kay would put it, spare family – since I first came to see them in Ashburton as a visiting teenager from Germany in 1983. During that most splendid thanksgiving celebration for Danny’s remarkable life at St. Paul’s, and later on at St Bartholomew’s, it was wonderful to listen to so many passionate tributes to a mature and very wise son, brother, husband, father, uncle, colleague and friend. Whilst Danny and I met only rarely as adults – mainly at great Graymore family events, both very happy ones and very sad ones throughout the years – our friendship was one which, as many people found with Danny, would immediately connect in the very same way we left it years before. And, indeed, we went back many years: In 1983, 40 years ago almost to the day, I first came to beautiful, ancient 62 East Street in Ashburton to see and stay with the lovely Graymore family. I travelled from London by coach, and Kay and at least Danny (if not more of them…) picked me up at Newton Abbot station in the tiniest Fiat campervan you can …

From David NabarroYou have been a role model for me on many levels: now it is my privilege to seek to live and work in ways that meet your exemplary standards.  Thanks to you, to Louise and to all your family.  Warm regards    David       …

As one of the number of the extended Graymore family – cousins – my sister Jacqueline and I are very proud of what Danny achieved in his all too-short-life, although we did not fully appreciate the half of it.  We met infrequently and as we all say ‘when we get together it is for weddings and funerals’. We didn’t talk much about ‘work’ then.So it is only now that we learn the full extent of the impact that Danny made on the world stage – truly a ‘man of the people’. I wish we’d had more opportunities and time to know you, Danny. Our loving thoughts are with you and your dear family.                                                                                                                                                                             …

Rachel met Danny for the first time in the office on a Friday, and mentioned we were off to the beach huts for the weekend. In true Danny spontaneous form there he was the next day with his magic family ready to be part of the team. We soon came to realise that was the spirit of the Graymore family – adventure was in their DNA. When our daughter Kaya was hogging the sand toy Danny was quick to jump in to ensure an equal turn for Rose aged 3. Typical Danny – a fierce defender of his family and of the bigger injustices in the world. He was a wonderful father, friend and colleague.  One of our earliest memories of Danny is the moment he realised, when we were in Ghana, that Yadvinder liked science fiction. “Do you like Dr Who?”, he asked with a glint in his eye. I replied I hadn’t really watched the newer series. That resulted in an unforgettable series of late night Dr Who binges, with plenty of wine or gin. Allowing the kids to be left to their own devices creating memories too. Thank you Danny for educating us all on Weeping …

I never worked closely with Danny during our time in DFID, but I felt I knew him well – he was that kind of person. He remembered things about you. He empathised. He was a friendly face in any room. Even when things didn’t go well for him, he remained positive about the future. He didn’t try to look on the bright side – it just came naturally to him, and I don’t know if he could see the dark side. He was that great combination of smart, moral and small ego. He got things done, quietly and unpretentiously. He made the world a better place, but modestly. We were neighbours in East Africa when he was Head of DFID Uganda and I was Head of DFID Kenya and Somalia, and would sometimes compare notes as peers in that “loneliness of leadership” way. We discovered that we were born a day apart in 1970, and he would play the youngster to my old man. He’s the person I know best who is younger than me who has died. And when I think about how wrong that feels, my heart goes out to Louise and their children for the untimely …

I worked with Danny during his time at the British Diabetic Association, now diabetes uk.. Feels like such a long time ago, but the things I do recall was how infectious Danny was, his humour, fun loving attitude.. If I recall it was his first proper role after uni .. and was initially involved in events management with the conference team .. my god even back then in the 90s we were all like a close knit family .. more than anything strangely recall a few beers being drunk in the Dover castle after work 😉 . he was such a great character and as we can all see greatly loved by all .. its so interesting seeing how much he had achieved in his life and what a loss .. my deepest condolences to the graymore family and of course you should feel very proud of what he achieved and the esteem in which he is held by all those who knew him and worked with him ..  …

Sorry to be late in sharing fond memories of times with Danny and his lovely family, Louise, Jem, Rose and Elijah. It reminds me that Danny was late once. In fact, Louise and Danny had completely forgotten they were due to come to dinner. When i texted, half an hour after they were due, Danny fessed up immediately, donned his lycra at work and cycled at high speed to our home in Stoke Newington. He arrived sweaty and full of apologies for Louise as they couldn’t find a last minute babysitter. Then he sat down in his lycra, produced a bottle of wine from his bag as if by magic, and started chatting about politics and social justice. We had an absolutely delightful evening and i have never forgotten it. It was Danny – honest, thoughtful, fun, caring and such wonderful warm and thought-provoking company. He didn’t stay late as he wanted to get home to Louise who had held the fort at home. Danny’s love for his family was the bright light that lit him from deep inside. The Graymore’s – family at its absolute best. Mostly, we met Danny, Louise and the kids at Stoke Newington Farmer’s …

I was so sorry to hear about Danny. I met him when we were working together at Christian Aid, and bumped into him from time to time then over the years he was at DFID. He was really lovely – kind, laid back but full of energy, full of the enjoyment of life. It is very sad he has gone so young – my deep condoloences to Louise and the children. …

I am so sorry to hear of Danny’s passing. I knew him when I was working as Team Leader on DFID Uganda’s flagship social protection programme, while Danny was Head of Office. Upon joining the office Danny not only took immediate interest in the programme but became actively involved in advocating for our policy agenda, including pulling the UK High Commissioner into the effort. Danny saw the big picture but was prepared to roll his sleeves up and do whatever was necessary to get big things done. At the same time he was a generous and warm leader who took time to understand people’s personal situations. And on top of all this he regularly found the energy to entertain us all from behind his drum kit at the high commission club!  A wonderful professional, leader and human being. Many condolences to Louise and the children. I hope you can take some comfort in the knowledge that Danny’s qualities were very much appreciated by everyone he came into contact with. Rest in peace Danny. …

I knew Danny closely for a short but very memorable and formative period in our lives, when we were at Newton Abbot 6th Form. Danny and Jason were in the year above Sean and myself, and together we formed a band called The Breeze (a truly terrible name) – an ambitious covers band, with a few of our own songs thrown in. We rehearsed in school, in front rooms and bedrooms, and managed to get quite good – gigging (and getting paid for it) around south Devon in many pubs – presumably illegally – plus other places, including Dyrons Arts Centre, Torquay Boys Grammar, youth clubs, private parties, and a truly rock n roll gig on the back of a truck in the middle of the deep, dark Teigngrace countryside at some point in the very early morning, as zombie-like stage invaders put cider, joints and bong pipes into our mouths while we tried to perform (Danny declined the latter). A lot of the best shows were at The Golden Lion in Danny’s home town of Ashburton, usually with the proprietor, monster raving loony Alan Hope taking the mic at the end for Gimme Some Loving. It was an …