Cash pours into Sam's fund

Cash totalling nearly £1,900 flooded in after Sam Atwood died at the age of 59 from deep vein thrombosis after a long journey in his cab without a break.

Sam, who was described by other cabbies as 'the most popular taxi driver in Dorchester', died after a five-hour round trip to Heathrow in October caused a blood clot move from his leg to his lung.

His wife of 29 years, Tina, who was also a cab driver but has since sold the business that she and her husband used to run together, decided to raise money for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance in his memory. Sam used to encourage local traders to put collecting tins in their shops for the charity.

Around 200 mourners packed into Weymouth Crematorium to remember Sam, who was known around town for his community spirit and helpfulness.

Last year grandfather Sam picked up hundreds of poppies from the street after yobs tore up memorials to Dorchester war hero Doug Smith and Tina says he was always carrying out acts of kindness.

She said: "I wanted to let people know how much they had managed to raise between them and to thank everybody for the donations and the cards and letters of condolence they sent to me and the family.

"Lots of individuals donated money and groups collected between them.

"I think the reason he was so popular is that he was just always kind and very caring and always had time for people, and considering that a large percentage of our customers were elderly that was always greatly appreciated.

"But Sam was always the same with everybody, old or young, and he was the same at home - he was my knight in shining armour. There are very few men like him in this world. I was very lucky."

Tina handed over £1,896.65 to the chairman of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Trevor Jones.

He said: "I knew Sam for well over 20 years and he was a totally dependable, solid and praise-worthy person.

"I shared the devastation of all his friends at his premature death."