DOZENS of donations have been made in memory of a father-to-be after he died in an accident at work.

Richard Calsen, 25, suffered crush injuries at Abbey Village welding firm John Fowler and Son, near Chorley.

It has now emerged that Richard, known as Chard, ran the Liverpool Marathon in 2012 in memory of his grandfather, hoping to raise £400.

Since his death, donations have poured in and more than £600 has been raised for the Stroke Association.

It has also been revealed that Chorley resident Mr Calsen was crushed inside a bin wagon during the incident on Saturday afternoon.

Posting on social media in relation to the fund-raising, Mr Calsen’s sister, Bev, said: “We did it in a matter of hours. We’ve now passed Chard’s target of £400. Thanks so much to everyone who has donated. You’re all amazing.”

Meanwhile, also via social media, his other sister Jenny vowed to help care for his unborn child.

She said: “The hardest, most brutal thing has happened to our family and I am absolutely heartbroken.

“I will never, ever get over this, but I have to make my baby brother proud, and raise his baby girl with Richard’s amazing girlfriend.

“You will always be in my heart, Richard, forever and always. I love you so much.”

Mr Calsen’s girlfriend, Jade Halpin, 28, is due to give birth later this year.

She said: “Our baby girl will be so proud of her daddy, such a strong, beautiful person.”

Mr Calsen died despite the best efforts of paramedics who were called to the Garden Street mill at around 3pm on Saturday.

An inquest into Mr Calsen’s death was opened and adjourned at Preston Coroner’s Court yesterday morning. A review will be held on Thursday, September 18, with a full inquest heard at some point after that date.