Fressingfield villagers raise record sum in memory of popular resident

Villagers in Fressingfield joined together for an emotional fundraiser in memory of one its most popular residents.

The coffee morning, held last weekend in support of Macmillian Cancer Support, was organised by Linda Stannard, whose husband, Colin, died aged 57, after a short battle with cancer in April 2017.

Mr Stannard was one of the village’s most well-liked residents and was also well-known across the region as the frontman of covers band Red Mecca.

In November 2017, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and died just four months later.

“It’s the second year we have held the coffee morning and we were thrilled to see even more people come along this year, than last, in memory of Colin,” said Mrs Stannard, 58.

“The people in the village have been brilliant, with everyone from the shop to the doctors’ surgery selling tickets to help raise money.

“A lot of people come from outside the area too because they knew Colin from his time in Red Mecca and wanted to pay tribute.

“He loved music, and played with the band for 10 years.”

Mr Stannard, a plumber by trade, was the lead singer with Red Mecca.

More than 200 people attended the coffee morning at Sancroft Hall, where there were also stalls and activities.

It raised £1,504 as part of the annual Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee morning.

Full story and pictures from the coffee morning in this week's Diss Express, out now