A CHARITY poker night is to be held in memory of a popular businessman who died suddenly at his home.

Annie Davidson

A CHARITY poker night is to be held in memory of a popular businessman who died suddenly at his home.

Clive Thomas died around a week ago having being found at the bottom of a flight of stairs at his home in Coddenham Road, Needham Market.

Police are investigating the 52-year-old's sudden death which has shocked the business community.

Mr Thomas was the managing director of the Anglia Recruitment Group, a former chairman of the Suffolk branch of the Institute of Directors and a director on the board of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

His company had been recognised on ten occasions in the Archant Business Awards since it was set up in 2002 but had become a recent victim of the economic climate.

The business, which was made up of Anglia IT and Anglia Supply Chain, went into voluntary liquidation on May 12.

Mr Thomas was a passionate supporter of the East Anglian Air Ambulance and organised fundraising which made more than �60,000 for the charity over the last six years.

One of his ventures was a monthly poker evening at The Swan Inn in Needham Market, from which the winners would donate the cash to their own chosen charity.

But following the news of Mr Thomas' death pub landlord Richard Farley has decided to hold a poker night this evening in his memory with all the money going to the air ambulance.

“That was his charity and it would be nice to raise a good few quid for it,” Mr Farley said.

“I knew him very well for a few years and he organised the poker night once a month.

“He hadn't come out for a few weeks but then we coaxed him out.”

Anyone who would like to go to the poker night or wants more information can contact Mr Farley at the pub on 01449 720280.