Martina Calleja and Carmel Hili write:

We had the good fortune and pleasure of knowing Wayne in the last quarter of 2008 when Keith Marshall, the man behind the philanthropic organisation Reaching Out, got together yet another group of young people for the fourth Kilimanjaro Challenge to raise funds for the first phase in the building of an orphanage in Nyamonge, Kenya.

Wayne’s belief in and enthusiasm for this cause was evident by his regular attendance and punctuality for training sessions and committee meetings over the span of almost a year. When it came to fundraising he was one of the most active members of the team, approaching many potential sponsors, always upbeat and never being disheartened when, at first, the money only trickled in. We still vividly remember the smile of evident satisfaction on his face and his sigh of relief during those times when he used to secure a good sponsorship.

Wayne never shied away from challenges even during training, the only exception being when it posed a danger to his life but not after having exhausted all possible reasonable attempts. His words of encouragement to all team mates on our ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free standing mountain in the world, were instrumental in our success with all members reaching Uhuru peak at dawn on September 6, 2009.

Upon descent and arrival back in Malta he saw to it that the funds collected reach their final destination – the orphans – in no time at all.

He confided with us how the Challenge had transformed him, changing his perception of the African continent and, in the process, gaining a better understanding of the plight of refugees and immigrants reaching our shores from that continent.

As the priest rightly pointed out in the funeral, Wayne was and still is a role model for young people, having always put his talents (musical, acting and fundraising) and energy at the service of others, a żagħżugħ ħabrieki (hard-working youth) with a heart of gold and would only feel fulfilled as a person when seeing others less fortunate with a smile on their face.

Wayne was a magnanimous, ­resolute, brave, technically-minded and exemplary worker ever conscientious, cautious, professional in the execution of his duties, genuinely concerned for the well-being of ­others and always ready to go out of his way to help fellow workmates.

The news of the unfortunate incident which took away his life at his workplace in front of his very own father and brother spread like wildfire and shocked all of us who knew him. The large crowd that packed the Mġarr church and parvis at his funeral Mass with people coming from all walks of life and the many positive comments posted online are testimony to this great yet humble young man.

Wayne’s shining example and joie de vivre should serve as a permanent yardstick for today’s youth. He lives in our memories, our hearts and spirit and we shall always treasure the times we shared.

Wayne has our heartfelt thanks and our prayers for him to enjoy his just reward for a race well run and a fight well fought in the beauty, the glory and the awesome justice of God where we may be granted to meet again.

Our condolences to his parents, brother, sister, relatives, friends and the Mġarr community.

Wayne, buddy, you will be missed but never forgotten!