A TOUCHING tribute has been paid to a "hard working and fun" Sainsbury's manager who collapsed and died while out walking with his family.

Russell Oakley, who had previously worked at Lordshill Sainsbury's, collapsed at Hengistbury Head in Bournemouth on the way to the beach with his wife and three children.

Despite the efforts of medics and members of the public, Mr Oakley, 43, died at the scene on the afternoon on Thursday August 9.

His wife, Natalie, told how she was pushing their seven-month-old son, Theo, in a pushchair and her husband was walking behind them with his two children from a previous relationship, nine-year-old Elliot and Amelia, eight.

It was the beginning of a week off for Russell.

"We had all drawn up a plan of everything we were going to do. It was our favourite place and the kids wanted to go swimming" said Natalie.

"I was pushing the pushchair and Elliot and Amelia were stood either side of Russell as he pulled the beach trolley along and I heard a thud. I turned around and he had fallen face down.

"I immediately went to help and called 999. The air ambulance critical care team battled to save him but unfortunately it was not meant to be."

She said her husband had suffered a major cardiac event and nothing could be done to save him.

Mrs Oakley paid tribute to her husband of five years, who had worked at Sainsbury's since the age of 16. He started on the fish counter and worked his way up to deputy store manager and completed a store manager training programme.

She said: "They say fairytales don’t exist but I know they do because, as corny as is sounds, we were soulmates. Blissfully happy. He would do anything for his family, hard working and loads of fun.

"He did the money supermarket dance in hot pants and heels for comic relief a few years ago at Lordshill Sainsbury's. It got over a million views on Facebook. He was a showman, always up for a laugh and always dressing up and creating fantasy lands for his kids.

"He was famous for dressing up as women, anything to make people laugh. His positivity and calmness towards life and its challenges were inspiring, and it’s what has kept me going the past couple of weeks."

Mrs Oakley thanked all the people who helped her on the day her husband died, including people who tried to resuscitate him and those who looked after the children.

A celebration of Mr Oakley's life is due to take place tomorrow (Weds Aug 29) at Bournemouth Crematorium at 12.30pm.