A GRIEVING husband last night paid tribute to his wife who was devoted to helping others, raising £250,000 for a charity close to her heart before her sudden death.
A GRIEVING husband last night paid tribute to his wife who was devoted to helping others, raising £250,000 for a charity close to her heart before her sudden death.
Anne Douglas, 62, from Stowupland near Stowmarket, had helped run the Suffolk Support Group for the Anthony Nolan Trust for 15 years. She died on November 8 at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, holding her husband's hand, after suffering a stroke, and a brain haemorrhage.
Melvyn Douglas, 63, said: “She always put others before herself, in so many ways, and loved the community here in Stowupland.
“Through the years I believe she has raised and helped raise about £250,000 for the trust, which was close to both our hearts.
“We also encouraged people to give bone marrow through the years and go on the register to be a donor, which helped change lives. We both also wanted help our community and organised local events.
“Anne was my best friend and everything to me. She was an amazing woman who I fell in love with straight away, and I have been in heaven ever since.”
Mrs Douglas and her husband, a retired financial consultant, were inspired to help after one of their sons, now 41, was diagnosed with a condition that left him needing a bone marrow transplant.
The couple went on to raise funds for the organisation that works in this field, with Mrs Douglas taking part in everything from sponsored cycle rides to skydiving from 10,000 feet, wing walking and even aerial acrobatics in a 1935 biplane.
She retired just three years ago from Mid Suffolk District Council, based at Needham Market, where she worked in administration, and had served as clerk to Stowupland Parish Council for 30 years..
The 62-year-old was passionate about travelling and the couple had visited countries including Canada, Portugal, Malaysia, Thailand and Dubai.
Would you like to pay tribute to Mrs Douglas? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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