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Richard Hudson fund created to help talented graduates after tragic death

The funeral of a well-respected member of the Manchester digital community is to take place later this month and a fund to help talented digital graduates has been created in his name.

Richard Hudson, who owned web design agency Vanilla Storm, lost his battle with cancer at the age of 43 on Friday 30th January 2015. His funeral will be taking place at 12.15pm on Tuesday 17 February 2015 at the Rowan Chapel in Stockport. This will be followed by a gathering at the Hind’s Head pub in Stockport to commemorate his life and achievements.

The Richard Hudson Prize has also been set up in his name by his wife Jenny and will be awarded each year to a student at Manchester Metropolitan University. Richard was passionate about the digital sector and this fund will recognise the talents of a final year student who is about to graduate and enter into the industry.

Richard was heavily involved in the digital industry throughout his career. In 2004 he started Vanilla Storm with his wife and has also been a member of the Manchester Digital council since 2006. He also became a director of Manchester Digital in 2010. In addition to this, he was a founder of the successful digital conference, SAScon. Its seventh conference is taking place in June this year.

Katie Gallagher, managing director of Manchester Digital, said: “We are devastated to have lost such a valued and inspiring member of the digital community. Richard brought so much to the industry and will be deeply missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

“The Richard Hudson Prize is such a fantastic idea and Richard would be proud to have his name associated with this fund. It will really help talented students who are struggling to buy books or equipment and Richard truly valued the importance of education. He felt very strongly about supporting graduates along their career paths, so this is a fitting tribute to him.

“We are hoping to see an amazing turnout at the service as Richard touched so many lives, and there will no doubt be a wave of people who want to celebrate his life and commitment to the digital industry in Manchester.”

Contributions to the Richard Hudson Prize fund can be made online via credit or debit card or by cheque. Online payments can be made on a one-off or regular basis via the MMU website . Cheque payments should be made payable to ‘Manchester Metropolitan University’. All floral tributes should be sent to The Co-operative Funeralcare, Stockport.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ursula Hutchinson .