Heartbroken family pays tribute to ‘one in a million’ daughter, 24, who died suddenly at her home after working for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic
- Amber Sugden died suddenly at home in Normanby, Teesside, on February 27
- The medical secretary won an award for her work during the Covid-19 outbreak
Heartbroken family and friends have paid tribute to a ‘one in a million’ NHS worker who died suddenly at home.
Amber Sugden passed away aged 24 at her house in Normanby, Teesside, last week. She had worked through the pandemic as a medical secretary at Middlesbrough’s St James Cook University Hospital, where staff said she was loved by colleagues and patients.
Her relatives have been left devastated by the NHS worker’s sudden death on February 27 as they called her the ‘life and soul of the party’ and an ‘amazing, beautiful girl inside and out’.
Amber’s mother Jo Thompson said: ‘She worked hard and loved to party. We are in shock and can’t believe she’s gone. She was naturally beautiful and had everything on point.
‘She was the full package she always had her nails and hair done and was so clever – a grade A student. She really was marvellous.
‘Beautiful inside and out’: Amber Sugden (pictured), 24, died suddenly at her home in Normanby, Teesside on February 27
The beloved 24-year-old NHS worker had worked as a medical secretary at Middlesbrough’s St James Cook University Hospital for four years and won an award for her efforts during the coronavirus pandemic
‘So many people have gotten in touch from her old employers to her school teachers. Everybody lucky enough to have met her have contacted us which is comforting.
‘She was the kindest girl, she’d go all out to help anybody. She was absolutely selfless and never wanted anything back she just wanted to help people.’
Amber’s father Matty Sugden described the 24-year-old as a ‘girly girl’ who always loved to look her best.
She attended Linthorpe Community Primary School, Outwood Academy Acklam and Trinity Catholic College. She later achieved a level 3 course and her A-levels with Macmillan, going on to complete an apprenticeship with Cleveland Police.
She later went on to work at St James Cook University Hospital for four years and won an award for her efforts during the pandemic.
Jo added: ‘She was the kindest girl, she’d go all out to help anybody. She was absolutely selfless and never wanted anything back she just wanted to help people.’
Family and friends have since paid tribute to Amber (pictured), describing her as ‘one-in-a-million’ woman who was ‘the kindest girl’
In a tribute to the NHS worker, one friend said: ‘The loudest soul in the room who everyone loved and treasured in their hearts – you really were one in a million.
Tributes have poured in on social media following Amber’s death.
One friend wrote: ‘RIP mate I can’t believe I’m writing this about you Amber. The loud, confident, bubbly one who you could always hear first before seeing! You never had a smile off your face and were always the light and soul of the party. I’ll never forget the laughs we had.’
Another added: ‘The loudest soul in the room who everyone loved and treasured in their hearts – you really were one in a million.’
A balloon release was held to celebrate Amber last weekend which saw her family and friends turn out to pay tribute.
Her mother added: ‘It was colourful, it was bright, it was everything that she was all about.’
A celebration of Amber’s life will be held on Friday, March 17 at 10.30am at St Bede’s Chapel, Acklam. Her loved ones will then meet at Linthorpe Cemetery, Middlesbrough, at 11.45am to say their final goodbyes.
The cause of her death has not been revealed.