FAMILY and friends gathered on Felixstowe seafront for the presentation of a bench in memory of a former town trader with “a heart of gold”.Chamber of Trade colleagues donated the bench to The Hut centre for the elderly and disabled in honour of Juanita Russell, who ran a newsagents in Hamilton Road for 20 years until her retirement.

FAMILY and friends gathered on Felixstowe seafront for the presentation of a bench in memory of a former town trader with “a heart of gold”.

Chamber of Trade colleagues donated the bench to The Hut centre for the elderly and disabled in honour of Juanita Russell, who ran a newsagents in Hamilton Road for 20 years until her retirement.

Ms Russell, of Goyfield Avenue, Felixstowe, died at the age of 64 in St Elizabeth Hospice after battling against asbestosis.

She served for two years as chairman of the resort's chamber of trade and commerce. She was a driving force behind the group during one of its busiest periods, leading several initiatives to try to attract more tourists to the seaside town.

She launched the road train and helped get the radio system in shops to help detect crime.

Born and bred in Felixstowe, Ms Russell was involved in the community and its organisations.

Golf was her great love and she was a ladies' captain at the Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club, where she played regularly.

She was a founder member of both the Trimley Wives' Club and the Martello Circle at Old Felixstowe Community Association, and had also been involved in the town's sea cadets and a flower club.

Presenting the bench on behalf of the chamber of trade, mayor Cyril Webb, himself a business owner in the town, said Ms Russell had been both a chamber colleague and a friend.

He said: “Juanita was a splendid chairman of the chamber - and she sharpened us all up.

“She worked hard and expected those working with her to do the same, but if you needed help at any time she had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. She is greatly missed.”

Richard Holland, chairman of Felixstowe Old People's Welfare Association, which runs The Hut on the prom at Bath Tap, was delighted with the gift of the bench.

He said: “When we took over the running of the building, people said you will be surprised at just how many people give and donate to help with the centre - and this lovely bench is more evidence of the community's wonderful support for the work here.”

n. Do you think the bench is a fitting tribute to Ms Russell? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk