Peter Waddup, CEO - The Leprosy Mission Great Britain

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There is always something uplifting about a memorial or funeral service. This may sound strange when we can feel such sadness and loss on arrival at such an event. Yet by celebrating a person's character and life we can somehow transcend grief, even for a short time.

We can feel uplifted by listening to the things that made them unique, special and simply 'them'. We can celebrate how their talents and values shaped their time on planet earth. A welcome aside from the sorrow of goodbye is a reminder that our time here is both limited and precious. And by hearing the legacy of a life well lived we can leave with a renewed vigour to live our best lives.

Last Thursday I attended the memorial service of Michael Ancram, the 13th Marquees of Lothian. Born into an aristocratic family, Michael lived an extraordinary life. In the heartfelt tributes I learned so much about his incredible sense of public duty.

After his Oxford education, came his first career in Law and being called to the Scottish Bar. Michael then entered politics and was elected MP for Berwick and East Lothian in 1974. Little did he know then that his innate diplomacy skills would pave the way to his most significant achievement. This was under John Major, who was present at a packed Westminster Cathedral for the special service.

As minister of state for Northern Ireland in the mid-1990s, Michael was an architect in the peace process. The groundwork he put in eventually led to the Good Friday Agreement, signed by Tony Blair in 1998. The congregation heard how Michael was the first UK parliamentarian to negotiate with the IRA. (It was not without his own scars too, having survived the IRA's bombing of the Conservative Party's Brighton conference in 1984.)

With just an armed driver for protection, he met with Sinn Fein's leader Martin McGuinness. The meeting took place in the heart of IRA territory with the IRA cutting off both entrances to the street. At great risk to personal safety, he listened to the injustices towards Ireland. He was a natural negotiator, steadfast in his pursuit of the greater goal of peace. In his memoirs, John Major praised Michael's skill in moving the peace process forward.

Yet overarching even his part in ending 'The Troubles', is a legacy of living a life without regret. To live with courage, integrity and conviction and to leave no stone unturned. This was summed up by his son-in-law. He told the congregation that Michael would 'endlessly' encourage his daughters to keep trying. He would repeatedly tell them '"If only" is a sad and lonely place'.

Michael Ancram was a humanitarian who saw the bigger picture. Despite being born into privilege, he valued and respected people on society's fringes. It was no surprise that the work of The Leprosy Mission was close to his heart. He was a Knight of the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem, founded over 900 years ago. It began with the construction of a leprosy hospital outside the walls of Jerusalem.

In honour of Michael’s extraordinary life, The St Lazarus Charitable Trust raised £35k to transform communities affected by leprosy in Odisha, India. This is yet another of Michael’s legacies to the world, and one which will impact hundreds of marginalised people. Like so many, they will not have the chance to say thank you to Michael. But I will ensure they know about the amazing man who achieved so much because of his compassionate heart.