HUNDREDS of pounds were raised during a charity event in honour of a much loved care worker who died suddenly.

Care home staff at Colne House, Earls Colne, organised a garden fete to celebrate the life of colleague Sabu Matthew and raise money for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance charity whose paramedics did so much to try and save him.

And staff were invited to the airbase to present a cheque to staff, and take a tour of the Earls Colne site. 

Mr Matthew, a support worker at the Station Road home, was found outside in his car in November 2015.

The father-of-two was unconscious and had suffered a bleed on the brain.

Care home manager Amanda Schofield, supported by other members of staff, did all they could to try to save him before ambulances, including the air ambulance arrived.

Mr Matthew, 53, was flown to Queen’s Hospital, Romford,but never regained consciousness.

Speaking while organising the event Mrs Schofield said: “Sabu was a popular character who is still missed greatly by his colleagues.

“The tragedy brought home to us the vital importance of the air ambulance which is based in our village.”

The charity fete was held in May and generous visitors helped raise £713 for the charity.

The fete was such a success it is hoped it can become an annual event.

This week representatives from the home were able to hand over a cheque to the charity which has saved countless lives.

Before the money was handed over Mrs Schofield and home administrator Helen Bragg were shown around the facilities at the air ambulance base by patient liaison officer Tony Stone.

Mrs Schofield said: “We were thrilled by the turnout to our event and plan to make this an annual fixture over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

“The tragedy brought home to us the vital importance of the air ambulance and we want to carry on supporting the charity.”

She expressed her thanks to all who attended the fete.