“WE ALL wallow in self pity at times, but we should all take a leaf out of Wayne’s book – he was an inspiration of the highest kind.”

These were the words of Damien Davis, a family friend of 26-year-old Wayne Wilson, who lost his battle with acute myeloid leukaemia on January 3.

Speaking at Wayne’s funeral, which was held at Kingsdown Crematorium yesterday, Damien said the father-of-one had courageously fought his illness since he was diagnosed in September and he would always be remembered for his cheeky smile.

There was standing room only as hundreds of friends and family gathered to pay their final respects to Wayne, just a month after they watched as he married his 19-year-old sweetheart Sammy Cole, the mother of his two-year-old daughter Katelyn.

The Rev Judith Ashby, who married the couple on December 18, led the service which began with S Club 7’s Reach and ended with Wayne’s choice of music – It’s My Life, by Bon Jovi.

Memories of Wayne’s time in the fire cadets were told, as well as his love of cars, his reputation as the “class clown” at school and his ability to “pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.”

Laughter rippled through the congregation as Damien, on behalf of Wayne’s mother Kay Wright, told how her son had once stayed off school after complaining of a stomach ache.

“Kay went off to work only to receive a phone call from Wayne just 30 minutes later saying ‘Don’t panic, the fire brigade are on their way.’ “He had decided that he suddenly felt a lot better and had decided to cook a sausage sandwich.

“Only he had left the grill on. Luckily two friends were passing the house at the time and he had managed to run and get help, all while wearing his mum’s dressing gown.”

A touching tribute was left attached to floral tributes by little Katelyn.

It read: “To the best daddy in the world, I will always love you daddy and I will never forget you. Love you always and forever, lots of love and kisses, your little princess Katelyn.”

Mourners were asked to wear bright colours to the ceremony at the request of Wayne, and donations were made to Team Wayne, a group made up of Damien, Wayne’s brother Karl, and friends who will attempt the Three Peaks Challenge in his memory later this year.

They are fundraising for Leukaemia Research UK. To make a donation to the cause log on to www.teamwayne.co.uk.