AMBLESIDE firefighters are among many local friends and colleagues to pay tribute to Waldek Gajdowski, whose sudden death has saddened all who knew and worked with him in the community which became his home.

Waldemar, known to all as Waldek, was born in 1969 in Staszow, a small village near Krakow in Poland.

His talent at sports led him to train at the elite Stal Mielec Football Club Academy as a junior, then move on to Rzeszow Teaching Institute to qualify as a PE teacher.

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His sporting achievements included football, karate, cross country running, skiing and speed skating among others but football was his greatest love and he qualified as a coach.

His first trip to England was as a student doing seasonal farm work, and following graduation he went to Oxford College of Further Education to study English as a second language.

It was in Oxford that he met his partner, Ruth Scarlett ,and after living and working in London, the couple decided to move up to Ambleside in 1998 to be near Ruth’s family.

Arriving in the Lakes nearly 20 years ago, Waldek was the only young Pole living in Ambleside but soon became involved with the community through sport, coaching junior footballers for the Westmorland Football Association and playing for Ambleside.

His first job was at the Homes of Football, a showcase of football memorabilia attracting many football fans.

Waldek also had an encyclopaedic knowledge of both UK and European football, and was particularly proud when some of his Polish friends from the Stal Mielec Football Club Academy went on to become international stars.

Poland’s membership of the EU brought an influx of Poles to Ambleside and Waldek always found time as a volunteer to help the growing international community and familiarise them with everyday life locally.

In 2003, Waldek became the first Polish national to join Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service as a serving firefighter and took part in many Streetwise multi-agency initiatives promoting fire safety in the home.

He was especially tasked with talking to members of the Polish community and advising them on fire safety, and was employed regularly by the fire and police services as a translator.

He also took part in the "RATS" road awareness training scheme, visiting local secondary schools to promote safe driving and road awareness to children aged 14-16.

“Waldek always carried out his duties with compassion, care and professionalism and was very proud to serve his community,” Ambleside firefighter Robin Dean said.

“He also participated in many fundraising events, raising money for local causes as well as for The Fire Fighters Charity, to support sick and injured fire fighters and their families.”

A guard of honour will follow Waldek’s funeral cortege today (Thursday March 2) leaving Ambleside Fire Station for St Mary’s Church at 11.40am accompanied by two fire engines and a procession of his fellow fire fighters in full dress uniform.

After cremation, Waldek’s ashes will be taken to his home town in Poland for interment, at which Cumbria Fire Service will be represented by Ambleside Watch Manager Stephen Barton and Robin Dean. Waldek leaves a partner, Ruth, and their son, Oliver.