Pimlico youth club leader remembered

Westminster Coroner's Court heard on Wednesday that he was tending to his plants in the garden outside his flat in Cumberland Street, Pimlico, on June 6 when he fell over.

Several worried neighbours heard him shouting for help and called an ambulance, which took him to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, in Fulham Road, Chelsea.

After an operation on a fractured hip, he developed a series of complications including a massive bleeding to the stomach and small intestine.

Mr Reed passed away at the hospital on June 15.

Between 1965 and 1985, he was leader of St Andrew's Youth Club, which is the world's oldest youth club and has been running since 1866.

Barry Walsh, current deputy chairman at St Andrew's Youth Club, became a member of the youth club in 1966 and has known Mr Reed since then.

Mr Walsh said: "His method was simple. He treated all young people as individuals and helped them make the most of themselves.

"Even after he retired as leader, he kept supporting the club and its members.

"He was a larger than life character in the community, a true Pimlico champion.

"He could walk through scores of doors in Pimlico and be treated as family."

Mr Reed served in the RAF during the Second World War, before becoming a youth worker in Luton and then Pimlico.

A tribute left on the website for St Andrew's Youth Club added: "Ralph was the inspirational leader of St Andrew's for 20 years and a much-loved member of the Westminster community ever since.

"He will be sorely missed by many generations of grateful St Andrew's members."

Around 500 people attended a funeral service at St Saviour's Church, in St George's Square, Pimlico, following his death.

Dr Paul Knapman, Westminster coroner, recorded a verdict of accidental death.