LAS honours pioneering medic Brian Hayes as he is laid to rest in Bermondsey

Tribute: colleagues form a guard of honour outside the church
LAS
Hannah Al-Othman31 March 2016

London Ambulance Service staff came out in force today to pay tribute to a pioneering colleague who passed away after a sudden illness.

Cycle responder and clinical team leader Brian Hayes died on Sunday, March 6 after he was taken ill at Waterloo ambulance station.

The 46-year-old was found in the locker room and his family believed he stopped off to get something on his way home from attending a Millwall match while off-duty.

The former soldier joined LAS in 2001 and later came up with the idea of an alternative response vehicle – the booze bus - to deal with alcohol related incidents, relieving pressure on frontline services over the Christmas period.

Mr Hayes also played a key role during the Olympic Games as a manager at the Service’s Olympic Deployment Centre.

Today, his funeral service was held at the church of St James & St Anne in Bermondsey.

Fly-past: images of the guard of honour were taken from London's air ambulance
LAS

Ambulance colleagues formed a guard of honour as his hearse drove past, and London's air ambulance also performed a fly-past in his honour.

Cycle responders also lined up outside M.Manze, Mr Hayes' favourite pie and mash shop, to pay tribute to the "Bermondsey boy".

Chief Executive Dr Fionna Moore, who led the staff tributes to Brian, said: “Brian was a big part of London Ambulance Service for many years and was much loved by all who worked with him.

“He was a fantastic ambassador for the Service and his innovative booze bus idea helped to free up frontline ambulances for patients in a serious or life-threatening condition.

Bermondsey Boy: colleagues lined up outside Mr Hayes' favourite pie and mash shop
Tom Lynch

“Brian was also a caring and dedicated clinician and inspired more junior members of staff, helping them as they started their career in London.

“Drawing on his military experience, Brian led the march past the Cenotaph to mark Remembrance Day on behalf of the Service for many years.

“Brian was a big personality and will be sadly missed by all those who knew him.”

Mr Hayes, who lived in Kennington, left behind a wife and three adult children.

His widow Claire, 47, previously told the Standard: “He was so funny and so enthusiastic about everything. He loved his family and had loads of friends, he was our hero.

"With the booze bus he wanted to keep people safe. As a father of three including two daughters the idea that young people might be roaming the streets getting hurt upset him so he did something about it.”

Colleagues: cycle responders honoured their former team leader
Tom Lynch

Mr Hayes was a dedicated Millwall fan, who volunteered with the club's academy.

Academy head Scott Fitzgerald paid tribute to him, saying: "He was a really popular member of staff and was always the first in - and the last out.

"Nothing was every too much trouble. You could totally rely on him.

"He will be a big loss for us - but we are thinking of his family and what they are going through."

Today, an LAS spokeswoman said: “The funeral of Brian Hayes was held today at Bermondsey.

“Staff and colleagues formed a guard of honour for the funeral cortege.”