The governing body said McKiernan was directly involved in the development of Para athletics as a volunteer and secretary of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics department throughout the 1990s and beginning of the 2000s.

McKiernan, who died on December 29, had previously held a similar volunteer role at the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF).

The organisation later became the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation.

She was also chairperson of the English Schools’ Athletic Association and officiated in innumerable local, regional, national and international events, including the Paralympic Games.

McKiernan was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2001, recognising her outstanding services to sports for persons with disabilities.

England Athletics joined World Para Athletics in offering its condolences to McKiernan’s family and friends, while praising her contribution to sport.

"At the initial development of the worldwide International Paralympic Organisation, Chris Cohen and Sue as secretary were the Athletics Section drivers,” England Athletics said.

"She became Chairman of English Schools’ AA in 1989 and continued to give her time and voluntary effort everywhere.

"Her achievements are too numerous to mention but included being field referee at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and technical delegate at four Paralympic Games.

"She was awarded an MBE for her services to sport.

"Her greatest gifts, though, were her ability to inspire so many others, to act as a mentor to many, a figure head to many and a friend to everyone she met.

"She has been and will continue to be sorely missed."