AS money continues to pour in for the Bolton Coronary Care Appeal, organisers have thanked the people of Bolton for taking it past the £1million mark.

The Bolton Evening News-backed appeal was launched in February 2002 and quickly rocketed to £300,000 thanks to generous benefactors.

The Wanderers and the then Mayor, Cllr John Walsh, further swelled the coffers by making the appeal their charity of the year.

And Eddie Davies, a Wanderers director who is a former heart patient, chipped in with £100,000.

Appeal manager Jenny Walsh today thanked everyone -- no matter how small the donation -- who has helped to put the appeal on track to reach its £1.3 million target this year. Now only £300,000 needs to be raised for the new specialist coronary care unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

"We've had money pouring in steadily since we launched the appeal last year and at times it has been overwhelming," she said. "We had over £300,000 pledged in the first few weeks and that was brilliant start to the campaign.

"The very big cheques from Eddie Davies and everyone at Bolton Wanderers, the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, Cllr John Walsh and Warburtons have obviously helped the appeal on its way, but the people of Bolton have really made the difference.

"Some of the smaller donations from people who have made a real effort or sacrifice have been very touching. We've seen people getting into baths of jelly, holding garden parties, dances and all sorts of fancy dress events.

"People are still raising money in every way they can. Last week we had a big bottle of five pence pieces sent to us and Sarah Butler from Keogh's Solicitors is currently climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds. This has been a people's appeal and a Bolton appeal."

work on the new unit is already well under way and John Flannery, head of estates at the hospital, said: "We are seeing definite progress. It's looking more and more like a hospital ward."

Thousands of patients have been treated in the existing seven-bed unit built in the 1960s and doctors are promising better care for thousands more in the new building. It will have 10 beds, boast new technology and have the capacity to treat around 600 patients a year, compared to the current 400. Bolton's soaring heart disease rate meant the town could not wait the minimum five years for NHS funds to build a new unit.

Ms Walsh said: "A lot of money has come in from people who have benefited from the present unit, or from their families, with thankyou notes saying that they wouldn't be here without the unit and I think that highlights the importance of this appeal.

"Reaching all the landmarks -- by getting halfway and now to £1 million --has given everyone confidence that we'll get there by Christmas.

"Passing £1 million is a brilliant achievement because that was the initial target. We're very close now, but there's still a lot of work to do."

Dr Peter Scott, senior consultant cardiologist at the hospital, said: "This will be a new ward with new equipment and a greater number of people will get a better level of care. We have nurses in training at the moment and we will be able to treat a wide range of conditions, from severe heart attacks to angina. Treatment is changing all the time and we will have a facility that can keep up with that.

"The whole team is looking forward to moving in. Ultimately, because we can give care to more patients, we will hopefully save more lives."

Donations can be sent to Bolton Coronary Care Appeal, The Appeal Office, Davenport House, Royal Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Farnworth, BL4 0JR.