My son Toby Hayward-Seers, who has died aged 27 following a cardiac arrest, was an active trade union member. He was deeply committed to workers’ rights and international human rights throughout his short working life.
He was employed at the University of East London in the quality assurance team between 2019 and 2022, where he was also international relations officer for Unison. Joining Bectu in November 2022 as an organising official, he rapidly gained the respect of members and staff. Many colleagues have said his unwavering belief in creating a fairer and more inclusive society was an inspiration. His first recruitment event brought in record numbers of new people, and Bectu’s young members award has been renamed in his memory.
Toby was born at home in Lewisham, south-east London, to me and my partner, Mary Seers; he was our third child and a brother for Joseph and Ellen. I am a musician and music teacher, and Mary is a singer. Toby was educated at John Ball primary school in Blackheath and Thomas Tallis school in Greenwich. Music and football were important to him from an early age.
He studied history at Sheffield University, gaining a first-class degree in 2017. His dissertation, which explored the Brazilian 1960s artistic and political movement Tropicália through the themes of migration and exile, reflected his musical knowledge and his interest in Brazilian culture. This later led to him travelling widely in South America and beyond. Toby met his partner Celia Barron through mutual London friends. Living and working in Spain with Celia was one of his plans for the future.
Resident in Hackney from 2020, Toby was a popular DJ at a variety of east London venues. He shared the family passion for Arsenal FC. Motivated by the combination of food and football, he devised a plan to watch many of the 2022 World Cup games in London cafes and bars run by people from the nations involved: the Moroccan breakfast was a highlight.
He continued to play football and run regularly, taking part in many races, including the London Marathon in 2021, which he ran to raise money for CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably). It was while running the Barcelona Marathon in March that he had the cardiac arrest that led to his death six weeks later.
Toby brought people together with his calm, considerate manner and his love of food, music and sport. He enjoyed exploring new opportunities, never missing the chance to share his discoveries with others.
He is survived by Celia, Mary and me, by his sister and brother, and three nephews.
