Gayle Williams was a UK charity worker who was shot dead by the Taleban as she walked to work in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, on 20 October, 2008.

Gayle, 34, who was a UK and South African national, was working as a volunteer for Serve Afghanistan, a UK registered charity that provides education and training for people with disabilities.

A statement from Serve Afghanistan said: "She was a person who always loved the Afghans and was dedicated to serving those who are disabled."

A trained fitness instructor, Gayle enjoyed mountain climbing, playing sports and running.

A statement on the Serve Afghanistan website said: "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.

"She herself would not regret taking the risk of working in Afghanistan. She was where she wanted to be – holding out a helping hand to those in need."

Her mother Pat Williams, from London, paid tribute to her daughter, saying: "Gayle was serving a people that she loved, and felt God called her to be there for such a time as this.

"We know her life was blessed and she was a blessing to those around her.

"No one could have asked for a more humble daughter with a loving heart."