THE heartbroken family of a YMCA youth worker who died suddenly aged 29 have told how his compassion inspired others.

Tom Moulton’s sponsored sleepouts for Southend YMCA helped fund new flats for young people at risk of homelessness.

Tributes to the fundraiser, known as “Moose”, have poured into the Echo from friends, colleagues and other charities in the area.

His mum Lee said Tom, of Westcliff, was a “big guy with a big heart”.

She said: “Like the moose of the northern hemisphere, he liked his solitude, but certainly didn’t favour their diet; loving a barbecue and a social gathering with his ‘herd’.

“He was gentle like the deer, yet strong and dependable.

“We all miss him hugely, but his love of life and the love of his friends, of which there are so many, will give us the strength and courage to move forward.’’

Echo:

  • Tom, front, organised the 'sleep easy' sponsored sleep outs for Southend YMCA

Tom’s brother, Greg, 25, said: “He was my hero, my best friend and the man who guided me throughout my life. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word.

"His kind, fun-loving and caring nature was an inspiration to how we should all live.”

Tom’s sister, Daisy, 24, who also works at Southend YMCA, said: “My brother played a huge part in making me the person I am today. He encouraged and helped me to gain the skills and confidence I needed to pursue my career.

“Not a day will go by where I don't think of him. But I know he will be looking down on me, looking after me, as he always did as my big brother.”

Echo:

  • The sleep outs raised enough to turn former offices in Hamlet Court Road into flats

Tom went to Earls Hall infant and junior schools, Westcliff, Belfairs High School, Leigh, and Seevic College, Thundersley, before gaining a degree in media studies from Derby University.

He refused to let the epilepsy he had suffered since childhood stop him helping others and joined Southend YMCA as a volunteer, before being offered a paid job with the charity.

Mrs Moulton said: “From a little boy, Tom showed humility, kindness, humour, empathy and understanding way beyond his years.

“His desire to make everyone feel included and valued was even displayed in the playground, when he told me, aged seven, that the boys at school were fighting at break time.

“His advice to them was: ‘If you must fight, fight with words, they are power’.”

Echo: Mike Bromfield, Anna Achermann, Matthew Girling, Mark Bromfield, Jane Dolby, Tom Moulton

  • YMCA staff, including Tom at the back, transfroming the offices into flats

He organised the first sponsored “sleep easy” sleep-out in the YMCA’s car park in 2013 and it soon became an annual event.

He also took part in the annual Essex Jailbreak, in which teams try to get as far from Chelmsford Prison in 15 hours. His team won in 2013, making it 750 miles to Berlin, in aid of the YMCA and Essex Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs.

Echo:

  • Tom with friends ready to take part in the Essex Jailbreak from Chelmsford Prison

The cause of Tom’s death is yet to be determined. An open funeral will be held at Southend Crematorium at 12.40pm on Thursday. Donations in his memory will be split between Epilepsy Research UK and Southend YMCA.