Mother's tribute to killed Briton

Fellow charity workers say Gayle Williams was an 'inspiration'

The mother of a British aid worker shot dead in Afghanistan has said she could not have asked for a "more humble daughter with a more loving heart".

Pat Williams, from London, told the Independent newspaper her daughter Gayle died serving the people she loved and was a blessing to those around her.

Gayle, 34, was killed on Monday as she walked to work near Kabul University in the Afghan capital, police said.

The Taleban claim to have killed her for spreading Christianity.

Gayle had been in Afghanistan for two-and-a-half-years managing a community development project for disabled people.

She was a volunteer for the UK-based charity Serve Afghanistan, which aims to educate and train people with disabilities.

We remember Gayle for her unselfish, humble and quiet way... she set a high standard and example of real love and care Anthony Habgood Overcoming threat to aid workers

In a statement, her Kabul-based colleagues described her good humour and adventurous spirit.

It read: "Gayle will be remembered as one of the inspiring people of the world who truly put others before herself.

"She was killed violently while caring for the most forgotten people in the world - the poor and the disabled."

Before moving to England with her mother. Gayle was brought up in South Africa - and held citizenship there.

She went to secondary school in London but returned to South Africa to study for a degree in occupational therapy.

After graduating in human movements science from the University of Zululand, she came back to London to work with deprived children.

Her sister Karen lives in Johannesburg.

Gayle was a qualified fitness instructor who loved the outdoors

Gayle's former university department head, Glynis Longhurst, said on the tribute site Lastingtribute: "She touched every person she met... I am proud and honoured to have known her."

Another posting from Anthony Habgood read: "We remember Gayle for her unselfish, humble and quiet way... she set a high standard and example of real love and care."

Gayle was a keen sportswoman who enjoyed cycling, canoeing, walking and mountaineering.

She was also a qualified fitness instructor who was based in Kandahar but returned to Kabul when the situation there became too dangerous.

A statement on Serve Afghanistan's website said: "She never spoke of the rigours and privations of aid work in Kandahar, one of the most difficult places for a young woman to work in the world.

"But she kept a smile on her face and always had a good humoured chuckle at the difficulties she must have endured."

Serve Afghanistan chairman Mike Lyth said: "She was a person who always loved the Afghans and was dedicated to serving those who are disabled."