Tributes to 'fun loving, exceptional' Wigan councillor Paul Maiden after tragic death at 44
22.02.2022 - 15:13
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A 'tenacious' independent councillor from Wigan who 'was still helping people in hospital' while he waited for a heart transplant has died at the age of 44.
Paul Maiden, who has represented residents in Hindley Green since 2018, had recently announced from a hospital bed that he would stand down in May.
The former band promoter, who was involved in a car accident some years ago, had been waiting for a heart transplant since suffering a health scare last year.
READ MORE: Wigan council tax expected to increase by around 3 pc to plug £9m budget gap
But after spending months in hospital, the diabetic said that several toes and part of his foot had to be removed and a further amputation may be needed.
Paul died soon after in a Salford hospital on Sunday (February 20) night.
Colleagues, constituents and small businesses have paid tribute to Mr Maiden.
Fellow independent councillor for Hindley Green Bob Brierley described him as a 'fun-loving guy' who valued his role as an elected representative.
He said: "He was a brilliant councillor. He always made his mark in the town hall.
"He was a very, very clever man. He was helping small businesses during the Covid crisis. And he fully supported the residents of Hindley Green."
Coun Brierley said Maiden was in 'excruciating' pain – but he hoped to recover and return to politics in time for the 2023 all-out elections at Wigan council.
Atherton councillor Stuart Gerrard, who leads the Independent Alliance - a political group which Maiden was a member of - was 'deeply upset' by the news of his death.
He said: "Paul was a tenacious councillor who put his constituents first and foremost and was never afraid to stand up for them and hold the council to account for them.
"On behalf of the