ELDERLY residents fighting to keep their care home open have conceded defeat after the "linchpin" in their team suddenly died.
George Roll, 90, had led the fight to keep Middleton Manor in Maldon open after it was declared no longer commercially viable by owners Larchwood Care in February.
But after Mr Roll, whose widow Margo is a resident, was found dead in his home on March 15, residents said they feel there is nothing more they can do.
Michael McArdell, 83, who moved into the Wantz Road care home in August, said: "He was kind and compassionate to everybody and such a key person in organising the campaign against closure.
"I can't say for sure to what extent the stress of that contributed to his death but I do think it could have played a part."
Mr Roll had worked tirelessly against the planned closure, collating statistics to back his argument and writing to public officials to gain their support.
"George knew it was likely to be a fight we couldn't win but he kept trying to the last and the work he carried out was simply amazing," added Margaret Still, who is a regular visitor to the home.
Mr Roll's shock death follows news that three residents have been hospitalised following their transfer to replacement care homes. One elderly lady had several stitches after falling from her bed, while another in his eighties has died, the campaigners say.
"It is utterly devastating to someone with dementia to be moved like this," said Mr McArdell, who with other residents, received a letter of notice two weeks ago, on March 11.
"There is such a close relationship between a resident and carer that to uproot these people will have consequences we don't yet know – it is a shattering blow.
"The owners have known about the closure for several months, they could at least have given us more time."
The Grade II listed Georgian terraces are now advertised as a "former care home" available as a development opportunity on estate agent Knight Frank's website.
"It's just terrible, but I know we've done all we could," added Mrs Still, who lives in Wantz Road.
"I've recommended many people to go into the home as the girls look after them all so well. It doesn't matter if you're in a posh home if you don't have the staff looking after everybody like they do at Middleton – and where will the girls go?"
The remaining residents and 40 staff have until April 5 to vacate the home, which has been used as a care facility for more than 50 years.
"I just hope that one lesson might be learnt from all this, that caring for elderly people and big business don't mix," said Mr McArdell, who was expected to move to a facility in Bocking, near Braintree, this week.
"I call on the Government to alter the process for giving out these licences so hopefully the same thing doesn't have to happen again."