More than 100 ambulance staff gathered to pay tribute to a "greatly loved" colleague who has died aged 57. 

Fakhar Ul Hassan worked for the ambulance service for 20 years and was a much-loved member of the Redditch community. 

He played a significant role in fundraising and organising the building of the local mosque located beside Asda and B&Q.  

He died on Monday (July 15) aged 57 with his family saying his legacy would "last lifetimes to come". 

Fakhar worked for the ambulance service for 20 years Fakhar worked for the ambulance service for 20 years (Image: Saira Zafar

More than 150 colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service, who he affectionately referred to as "our boys and girls", attended his funeral to pay their respects on Tuesday (July 16). 

His family has described the attendance as a "scene not often witnessed" with the women all displaying hijab by covering their heads with a headscarf as a form of respect for Fakhar's religious beliefs. 

In a group tribute, Fakhar's family said: "In that moment, we just wanted him to somehow be able to witness how greatly loved he is by family, by friends and by colleagues. 

"A true man, a true friend, a true father and a true husband. 

"Nothing can ever lessen this pain and your passing is a loss to each and every single person who met you. Your legacy will last lifetimes to come." 

More than 100 ambulance service staff attended the funeral service More than 100 ambulance service staff attended the funeral service (Image: Saira Zafar)

The ambulance service staff individually offered their condolences to Fakhar's family with every one of them reiterating what a true gentleman he was and how highly respected and loved he was by all. 

Senior Operations Manager at Bromsgrove, Ameta Bandhan, said: “Fak was a much-loved member of the team. I, like many of his colleagues, have fond memories of working with him over the 20 years of his career.

"It was an outstanding turnout from those who were able to pay their respects at the funeral, they did Fak proud.

"It showed how much he was thought of by all, a genuine, kind, caring, funny and lovely man who always put others first. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him."

Fakhar leaves behind his spouse, three children and two granddaughters who he held very dear to him.