SIX months after his death, the memory of binman Chris Jefferies lives on and thanks to the generosity of his friends and colleagues, his legacy is now set to help thousands of others.

Mr Jefferies, 37, died of a sudden brain haemorrhage in June, leaving a widow, Sally, 39, and a daughter, Louise, 13.

A refuse loader at North Wiltshire District Council's Parsonage Way depot for 17 years, he grew up in Ashe Crescent, in Chippenham, but later moved to Braemor Road, in Calne, where he lived with his family.

Following his death, some of Mr Jefferies' organs were used to save the lives of three other people, including an eight-year-old boy.

And last month a bench was unveiled in his honour at John Coles Park in Chippenham, where he played as a child.

Now, his family have donated more than £1,500, given by friends, workmates and people on his refuse round, to buy a heart monitor for the accident and emergency department of Chippenham Community Hospital.

The state of the art machine is used to provide vital heart monitoring for people suffering suspect heart conditions, and means that many patients will no longer have to be transferred straight to the Royal United Hospital in Bath for tests.

Mrs Jefferies and her parents, Tony and Ann White, attended a special presentation at Chippenham Hospital on Friday.

"People have been so generous following Chris's death, giving so much money, that we asked the hospital's League of Friends to tell us what they really needed," said Mrs Jefferies.

"We were very pleased when we learned that it was to be spent on a heart monitor and it has been thrilling to see it working, already helping people.

"Chris was always so keen to help others, I know that he would have been very pleased to see such an important piece of equipment donated in his memory."

Other benefactors joining the Hospital's League of Friends patron, Lady Lansdowne, on Friday, included the infamous Winkle Club.

Comprising a group of regulars from the Old Road Tavern in New Road, Chippenham, all Winkle Club members carry a winkle shell and are subject to bizarre fines and challenges throughout the year.

Swearing, not wearing a tie on designated days, and even mentioning the word Christmas can illicit a fine but it's good news for charities, as all the cash is donated to worthy causes.

In 2003, the club has donated more than £3,500 worth of gifts.

In the latest round of donations to Chippenham Hospital, its £1,892 cheque has paid for a couch for the plastering of broken bones.

"We've had a very successful year," said Winkle Club member Eric Dennis.

"We've donated money and equipment to the Sea Cadets, the Bath Royal United Hospital and many others and we are always very pleased to do our bit for Chippenham Hospital."

A digital camera was also donated to the hospital's team of district nurses, by Barbara Farquar, in memory of her sister, Muriel.

Chris Le Bon presented an electric bed for the Rowan West ward, in memory of Jenny Le Bon.

Lady Landowne said: "I am so pleased to be able to welcome a whole host of such valuable and unusual equipment, on behalf of the hospital.

"These really are wonderful machines and items, which will make a real difference."

Moya Strachan, operational support manager, said: "This was organised because the staff at Chippenham Hospital have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community and the relatives of those that they have treated. This event has given the staff an opportunity to thank them and to see what their fundraising has achieved."