It is with huge regret that sadly, on 1st October Neil and I lost our beautiful, kind, dear friend Donna.

She passed away peacefully after a sudden, short illness at Colchester hospital surrounded by her loving family.

As you can appreciate we are totally devastated as Donna was not only a very close friend, but she was also a much loved, trusted, loyal member of the Hoy team. She will be hugely missed by Maizie, Becky and past employees, Paige, Gina, Tracy and Rachel.

Donna had worked for us for many years and was adored by all of our customers and friends who frequented the pub.

Donna, together with her fiance Stuart, was always the life and soul of any party, whether in the Hoy or elsewhere.

If she wasn't working on a Saturday night, Donna could always be found dancing and singing with a large vodka and lemonade in one hand, and a microphone tightly clamped in the other...normally bellowing out Teardrops, No scrubs or Cold cold heart on the karaoke.

When she did reluctantly have to let go, it was normally to pass it on to Stuart to belt out his rendition of I'm too sexy, normally ending with the splits.

Donna has left a huge hole in our hearts, which go out to Stuart, Linda, Tyler, Jack, Robbie, Abigail, Megan and their extended family.

As we are all aware, not only does losing a loved one take its toll on you mentally, but also financially.

Donna had been on life support for two weeks before she passed and as Stuart spent all of his time with her at her bedside, he has been unable to work.

Unfortunately because of financial commitments within the family and an impending funeral (Only the best for our Donna!) Stuart will have to return to work.

Neil and I both feel that if we can remove this burden by raising money for the family, Stuart will be able to return to work at his own pace, allowing more time to grieve with his family.

So with this in mind, if you could help this wonderfully kind family out at this extremely hard time, it would ease some of the pressure they are facing

Thank you so much,

Dominie and Neil.xxx