East End campaigner Patrick Hanshaw kept fighting for his neighbours to the end

A committed social campaigner died on Monday doing what he did best – speaking up for his East End neighbours.

Residents of Albert Gardens near Commercial Road and Poplar and Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick paid tribute to Patrick Hanshaw this week after he suffered a heart attack at a residents’ meeting.

Mr Hanshaw had just spoken as the head of Albert Gardens Tenants Association at the public meeting in Shadwell when he was taken ill.

He collapsed outside the meeting room shortly after 6.30pm and was taken to the Royal London Hospital where he died.

Mr Fitzpatrick said he was “really saddened” to hear of Mr Hanshaw’s death, having known him for over 20 years.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: “He was somebody who was absolutely committed to the community.

“He was on my case regularly about different things which was good because he kept me on my toes. “It was typical Patrick that he went out in the middle of a meeting in which he was arguing for residents and trying to make sure all his neighbours were looked after.” It is believed Mr Hanshaw had run the tenants’ association since 1970 and had lived in Albert Gardens for around 60 years.

The meeting at Tarling East Community Centre in Martha Street had been called with the Old Ford Housing Association.

One of Mr Hanshaw’s neighbours, Nicholas McQueen, 50, said: “He was the most wonderful man I knew.

“He would work for people even if they couldn’t afford to pay for their membership.

“I don’t know how some people will cope without him.”

June Morton, the managing director of Old Ford Housing, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family, friends and neighbours at this very distressing time.”