A VIDEOGAME marathon raising money in memory of popular Melksham man Leigh Gaskin, has raised nearly treble the amount his friends were hoping for.

The 27-year-old from Longford Road died last August, 18 months after being diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects children and young adults.

Last Friday six of his friends from Bath Spa University set themselves the challenge of competing head-to-head in the game Halo non-stop for 48 hours.

Mr Gaskin’s brother Dan, 24, Leigh Harris, 27, Andrew Prosser, 27, Luke Geech, 27, Rhys Williams, 28, and Mark Daniel, 28, all took part.

They split into two teams, competing for points and taking it in turns to sleep, while also streaming themselves playing live online so viewers could interact.

Initially they had hoped to raise £500 for Sarcoma UK but have surpassed that amount and raised more than £1,425.

Mr Harris, from Aldbourne, near Marlborough, studied media and drama with Mr Gaskin. He said: “Raising treble, not including the Gift Aid, the amount of money that we thought we were going to raise, is astonishing.

“What made it special is that people were donating and they didn't even know Leigh. We just want to thank every single one of them.”

Mr Gaskin said the marathon was a fitting tribute to his brother because he was passionate about gaming and it was the driving force of their friendship.

He added: “The fact his battle has brought people together is just incredible. This event has raised money but has raised awareness of Sarcoma in which he would be very proud of.

“Although I can never replace Leigh, I hope throughout the 48 hours his friends have seen a part of him in me and gained happiness from that.”

All the footage is being edited down to five hour-long podcasts to be screened on their YouTube channel Bare Naked Gaming.

The first will be released on what would have been Mr Gaskin’s 28th birthday on March 19. To donate go to: justgiving.com/BNG.