TRAGIC circumstances have led to the close relationships between a couple and staff at a hospital unit where two of their children died. A new plaque was unveiled at the Intensive Care Unit at Queen s Hospital, Romford, in memory of the two children of J

TRAGIC circumstances have led to the close relationships between a couple and staff at a hospital unit where two of their children died.

A new plaque was unveiled at the Intensive Care Unit at Queen's Hospital, Romford, in memory of the two children of Joyce and Barrie Smith, of Rainham.

The grieving parents have turned into tireless fundraisers for the hospital after daughter Joanna died there aged 31 in 2001.

Son Gary was 35, when he also died there at the age of 35 in April last year.

Both had been suffering from a rare condition which left them partially sighted, with diabetes and mobility problems.

The Smiths have been raising funds for the unit by holding table top sales and quiz evenings.

The plaque, which will be fitted onto a new ventilator, is their latest contribution to the unit.