MORE than �2,000 has been raised in just over a week for a memorial fund in honour of four friends who died following an horrific industrial accident.

The Four Friends Memorial Fund was launched by the East Anglian Daily Times on January 25 to achieve a permanent memorial to remember brothers Thomas, 26, and Daniel Hazelton, 30, and their workmates Peter Johnson, 42, and Adam Taylor, 28, who died on January 21.

They had been working at Claxton Engineering Services Limited, in Great Yarmouth, when the accident happened.

Tom, Daniel and Peter were all from the village of Stanton and Adam was from nearby Rickinghall.

The Four Friends Memorial Fund, which has the backing of the four men’s families, has seen a tremendous level of support.

A donation of about �250 from Atec Trade Ltd, in Ipswich, is one of the latest received.

Company owner Aaron Gibson said: “It is a donation because myself and a couple of people who work for me knew them very well.”

On the fund’s success so far, Marilyn Hazelton, mother to Tom and Daniel, said: “We are overwhelmed with it – by the number of people who are obviously donating. It’s wonderful. It will be something in the memory of the four of them.”

Her remaining son Matthew, 32, said he was also “overwhelmed”, adding: “Thank you to everyone. It is fantastic so much money is being raised for it.”

Russell Cook, West Suffolk editor of the EADT, said he was delighted with the amount raised so far in such a short space of time and how people from far and wide had contributed.

“It is humbling how individuals, organisations, firms and business have contributed to the fund and it’s certainly struck a chord with many people who were so shocked by the tragedy. If the past week is anything to go by, the fund looks sure to swell further.”

Former Ipswich Town footballer James Scowcroft has pledged �200 to the fund.

n If you would like to support the fund, please send cheques payable to Archant Regional Ltd (write Four Friends Memorial Fund on reverse of cheque), to Four Friends Memorial Fund, c/o the editor, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AN.