VICTIMS of the Swindon Disease will not be forgotten thanks to Evening Advertiser readers.

Within weeks an amazing £11,429.97 was raised to build a memorial garden in tribute to former railway workers who died of mesothelioma, an asbestos related cancer.

And Swindon Services, which is doing the work for free, is now set to start on the project in Queen's Park.

Presenting the cheque to Swin-don councillor Maureen Dilley, lead member for Swindon Services, Advertiser editor Simon O'Neill said a big thank you to everyone involved in the appeal.

"It was a tall order in such a short space of time," he said. "But thanks to the incredible generosity of our readers, donations poured in and we shot past the initial target with ease."

Coun Dilley (Covingham and Nythe, Lab) hailed the campaign as a tremendous example of teamwork to remember such important lives.

"This shows what wonderful things can be achieved when people work together," she said.

Money flooded in from the minute the appeal to raise between £5,000 and £10,000 was launched back in March.

John Coyle, 55, of South Marston, kicked off the campaign, pledging £500.

Mr Coyle, who runs Swindon Door Services, said: "This was such a worthy cause to support because so many lives were innocently lost. At last we will have somewhere peaceful to remember them."

Cheques, large and small, came from big business, ex-railway workers, families and friends of mesothelioma victims. Cyril Godwin, 85, from Stratton, donated £15 and considers himself lucky to be alive.

He said: "I worked on the railways for 47 years and have lost many workmates to the terrible disease. It will be very moving to visit this vital mem-orial."

Anne Finucane, 51, from Moredon, gave £100 on behalf of her late father, Kenneth Watts, and late uncle, Albert Watts.

She said: "Working on the railways goes back generations in my family.

"I look forward to seeing the garden which will play an important role in Swindon's history."

Besides plants, the garden will feature an ornamental trellis, water fountain, a commemor-ative plaque, memorial and seating for quiet contemplation.

Former railway worker John Fleetwood, 80, from Rodbourne, will be making a pilgrimage to Queen's Park.

He said: "I did not think I would make it past 70, having worked in the foundry for 47 years. The conditions were pretty grim and caused much suffering."

John Short, director of Swindon Services, said work will begin as soon as possible.

He said: "We will start buying the materials straight away and the garden should take around a month to complete."

n Firms who contributed to the campaign: Evening Advertiser £1,000, Zurich Financial Services £1,000, Thring Townsend solicitors £600, First Great Western £500.