COLLEAGUES and friends of a highly respected a much-loved and generous Thurrock couple who died within weeks of each other have expressed their deep sadness at the double loss.

Alan Hudson was the Patient and Public Involvement Lay Member of Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group's (CCG) board and he died suddenly just before Christmas. His wife Sandy passed away early in January.

There will be a joint funeral for the couple, from Grays, to be attended by family, friends and colleagues, at Corbets Tey next month.

When Mr Hudson retired from a lifetime of working at the Port of Tilbury in 2011 he donated his retirement cash of £3,087 to Little Havens Children's Hospice.

Mr and Mrs Hudson's family have asked that if anyone wishes to make a donation in their memory, they be made to we have chosen the British Heart Foundation and the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance to receive any kind donations.

A spokesperson for the CCG said: "We were shocked and saddened that Alan Hudson, PPI Lay Member at Thurrock CCG passed away in December.

"Alan was appointed to Thurrock CCG's Board as a Lay Member in 2020 and always gave unfailing support. He had been part of the CCG's Commissioning Reference Group since 2014, becoming Chair in 2017.

"He was also a big supporter of the Targeted Lung Health Checks programme in Thurrock, being a real champion. His passion for patient participation and involvement was second to none. His presence is sorely missed."