MAMMOTH fundraiser Frank Ashton has put pen to paper in a bid to raise even more cash for charity.

The 89-year-old, who has earned himself the nickname the ‘Assett in Bassett’ because of his tireless fundraising, is penning his autobiography to showcase his years of charity work.

Frank, a retired bricklayer of Lime Kiln, in Wootton Bassett has ploughed 50 years of hard work in to raising money for a number of charities, including Prospect Hospice in Wroughton.

Now, Frank has written the final chapter to a book on his life story, which he has been writing for the past ten years.

“I started when I was 79 and I had to take a computer class called ‘Computers for the Terrified’,” he said.

“I have written some in long hand and some on the computer, just writing whenever I felt like it. When I married my second wife Mary in 2003 I didn’t write anything for two years, then I started it up again and now it is finished.

“When I was younger I worked for the hospital radio in Preston taking all the requests from the patients, and everyone always used to say to me I should put all my stories down in a book because I must have had a hell of a life, and in truth, I have.

“I’ve had a very full life.”

“I have enjoyed writing it, I surprised myself the other day when I read it through and found bits that I had forgotten I had included.

“It is my intention to show the present population, and more so the younger generation, life spent during the years 1921 to the present day.”

The book, entitled Poverty to Philanthropy, The Memoirs of Frank Ashton, is being published by Slad Valley Publishing in Gloucestershire and £1 of every book priced at £5 will go towards Prospect Hospice.

It details Frank’s childhood years growing up in Blackpool, the war years, the death of his late wife Mary of a heart attack in 2006, and his numerous fundraising efforts, including flying a plane, a hot air balloon ride and several sponsored walks.

He said: “My wedding to Mary in 2003 was one of the best days of my life.

“The ceremony was wonderful as they arranged for both of us to be seated in armchairs during the service, and we only had to stand for the vows.

“When I entered the church I had a family of 11, when I came out I had a family of 41, and some wise guy said ‘Frank, that’s quick work’.

“On returning home we settled down to normal procedure. We booked a cruise around Europe. We started to have holidays abroad including Ireland, Scotland, Spain and Malta.

“We both loved to travel and see the sights.”

A date for publication has not yet been set, but will be announced in the Adver at a later stage.