A ROWING club is in mourning for a long-standing member and trustee who died after finishing a race at its annual regatta.Ken Mills, who was treasurer of Sudbury Rowing Club, collapsed at the club's showpiece event on Saturday.

By Jonathan Barnes

A ROWING club is in mourning for a long-standing member and trustee who died after finishing a race at its annual regatta.

Ken Mills, who was treasurer of Sudbury Rowing Club, collapsed at the club's showpiece event on Saturday.

Doctors on site tried to save the 58-year-old, from Colchester, but he was pronounced dead after being taken by ambulance to West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds.

The rowing club expressed its "huge sadness" at Mr Mills' death, which happened shortly after a veteran pairs race at its 124th annual regatta on the River Stour. Mr Mills collapsed from suspected heart problems while still in a boat.

Tricia McGrillen, club chairman, said: "Ken was a faithful committee member and treasurer of the club.

"We gain some comfort in knowing that he died taking part in a sport that he loved at the club he was dedicated to.

"This was an extremely sad day for us all, and Ken will be greatly missed, both for his contribution to the club and for his personality."

Mr Mills, whose wife, Christiane, is also a member of the club, was described by the club as a keen competitor who had raced at many regattas over the years, including Henley.

The father-of-two had been a member of the club for 12 years and had served as its secretary and then treasurer.

Ms McGrillen said: "He trained regularly both on and off the water, a fact which makes the news of his death even more difficult to bear".

She added: "We may find another treasurer - we will never find another Ken."

In accordance with the wishes of Mr Mills's wife, the club continued with its regatta weekend.

Mr Mills's funeral is being held at Colchester Crematorium, Mersea Road, at 10.30am on Thursday.

His family have requested a guard of honour from the rowing club at the funeral and his wake will be held at the club, in Quay Lane, from around noon.

n The family have requested that, rather than flowers, donations to the British Heart Foundation would be preferred, via the funeral director, R. Gwinnell, at 112 Ipswich Rd, Colchester, CO4 0AA.

Cheques should be made payable to the British Heart Foundation and sent by post, or can be accepted on the day at the funeral.