Tributes have been pouring in for a beloved man who worked in Swindon town centre for over 20 years.

Sam Asante, 73, worked as a cleaner at The Brunel for 21 years after moving from Ghana and his loved ones have said he was a “treasured” friend and colleague who they sadly lost to cancer on Saturday, October 12.

Vicky Alderton, who worked with Sam for eight years, said: “Sam was very loving, he brought a smile to everyone and lit up a room.

“He was a massive asset to the company – he made such an impact and helped them out.  

“Everyone he met he made them smile. We were very close, his laugh was unique and he’s very much missed.

(Image: Vicky Alderton)

“He worked many, many hours in The Brunel doing overtime to build a house in Ghana and either this year or next year he was going to retire and move back, but unfortunately his time was up.

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"Cancer hit and it was too late and he never got the chance to, so we wanted to set up a fundraiser to help his body get back to where he wanted to go.

“He enjoyed people being around him. At home, I think he felt lonely, but I think he did so much overtime not just to build the house but also because of the company he had here.

“Customers have been asking to put money in – he meant so much to everyone. I know it’s a lot of money to fly him back to Ghana but at least if his family can’t afford it, something is going towards the funeral costs.

“It’s heart-warming to know people are willing to put any amount in and it doesn’t matter how much, it still contributes towards something.”

Sam’s former wife Rose Asante, who still lived with him as a close friend, said the house was an “empty place without him” and she missed him dearly.

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Laura, who worked with Sam at The Brunel and set up the fundraiser, added: “In the last 21 years many of us had the pleasure of knowing and working with Sam who always had a smile on his face and a fantastic sense of humour.

“We have set up the following fundraiser to support Sam's family through this sad time to help towards funeral costs and other expenses in the hope that this will ease some of the financial worry organising a funeral can bring.”

You can find the fundraiser here: www.gofundme.com/f/sam-asante

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