Tributes to ‘most caring person’ Hartlepool funeral director as £3,000 raised for medics who battled to save her life

Cindy Collins, 60, a mum-of-five and grandmother-of-nine, passed away suddenly despite the amazing efforts of paramedics and the Great North Air Ambulance.

A JustGiving fundraiser set up by her family has raised over £3,000 for the air ambulance charity.

Cindy worked for Dignity at both Mason's Funeral Directors in Hartlepool and Speckman's Funeral Directors at Wingate for 12 years.

She previously worked as an auxiliary nurse, student mentor, teacher, and Hartlepool Mail journalist where she met and later married photographer Tom Collins.

Tom, her husband of 23 years, said: “She was one of the most loving and caring people a husband could have by his side.

"The laughter and a positive attitude to everything we did together was amazing. My memories of such a beautiful and highly talented and gifted person will stay with me forever.”

Tom described the support and kindness shown as ‘overwhelming’ adding: “I would just like to say a massive thank you to them all.”

Her pride and joy were her children and grandchildren.

Dignity Area Manager David Harrison said: “Cindy was quite simply one of a kind.

“She was a wonderful person to be around; someone who always lit up a room with her personality, boundless energy and humour.

“She leaves a huge void both personally and professionally.”

Close friend Denise Curtis added: “Cindy was a precious rarity. We were dazzled by her bright, generous spirit, her compassion, and her huge appreciation of all things fun and funny.”

Cindy spent her childhood in Singapore where her dad Norman was stationed and often told her children and grandchildren about the snakes and creepy crawlies she encountered there.

Paramedic Andy Mawson, also the GNAA’s Director of Operations, was among the responders who tried to save Cindy’s life.

He said of the appeal: “This means someone else can receive the same level of critical care in their time of need and, whenever that is, we will be doing so in Cindy's memory.”

Donations can be made to the page In Memory of Cindy Collins at JustGiving.com

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