Charity night raises thousands in memory of West Norfolk man

The widow of a West Norfolk man who died from a brain tumour earlier this year has described a charity night held in his memory as "humbling and quite amazing."

The tribute to Eamonn Payne, organised by his widow Caroline and cousin Bev Bussey, raised around £3,000 for Norfolk Hospice Tapping House.

And the family hope that, with donations from the funeral and other contributions, they will be able to reach a target of £10,000.

The money is being given to the hospice as a thank you for the care Eamonn, who was 56, received there in his last days.

Caroline said: "After he died we wanted to do something positive. I am so happy that some good has come out of all this and I want to make it an annual event."

She said Bev, from Clenchwarton, came up with the idea and was the driving force behind the event which was attended by more than 200 people and included a raffle and auction.

"I was Bev's foot soldier. I just did as I was told. It was a wonderful evening and the generosity of everyone was quite amazing and I have found it very humbling. Eamonn would have been so proud,"she said.

Eamonn and Caroline, were married 24 years ago and made their home at Terrington St Clement, with sons Alfie and Thomas.

The couple were on holiday in Menorca in October when Eamonn had a seizure at the wheel of a car.

He was able to travel home but tests at Addenbrooke's Hospital revealed a rare malignant brain tumour. He died on February 23 at Tapping House.

Caroline said: "He went there when it was impossible to care for him at home. I was able to be with him and look after him and there was so much dignity and laughter there."

Eamonn was an electrical engineer and his work had taken him all over northern Europe in the last four years. He was working in Finland just before he was taken ill.

"It came without warning. He was a professional boxer in his younger days and was always fit and well," said Caroline.

Her hope now is they can organise a similar event every year in aid of Tapping House.

The evening, held at West Lynn Community Centre last Friday, included music and entertainment by the Happy Jax and Scott Pearson who gave their time free.

Prizes and auction items were donated by local companies and organisations and individuals who knew Eamonn.

Among those who attended were his fellow enthusiasts from the Gladiators Scooter Club who are now donating proceeds from their Easter egg run to Tapping House and some of the nurses from the hospice also attended.

Caroline said they could have sold double the tickets so they hope for a sell-out again next year.