IT'S not everyone who can boast that they have raised "a good few million" for charity.

But it is a claim Jean Howarth can make with confidence.

She is well known in Bolton for her tireless efforts to raise money for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

But now she is officially stepping down from her money-spinning antics after 23 years.

"I've raised a good few million over the years, but its all thanks to the brilliant support of the people of Bolton," she said.

Mrs Howarth helped to raise money to build the "Giving for Living" Research Centre at the Pendlebury hospital. And she did not stop there. She went on to replace out-dated equipment at the hospital -- from beds, cots and trolleys to replacing all 80 intravenous drips which cost £3,000 each.

The 73-year-old, who lives in Sharples, will not give up her money-generating expertise completely.

She will continue to raise money for Bolton Hospice and, as a former Bolton magistrate, will also remain as the town's chief organiser for social functions for retired JPs.

The doting grandmother-of-three added: "We got the idea for the research centre more than 20 years ago and put in an advert in the Bolton Evening News asking for local people to turn up at my brother's house if they were interested.

"At first no-one came. Then, after a story appeared in the Bolton Evening News, lots of people turned up. We've never looked back since these humble beginnings in Bolton.

"People throughout Bolton saw that there was a need to build this centre to research childhood diseases, and it is to them that I would like to say a big thank you."

Mrs Howarth, formerly Jean Tomlinson, was in charge of fund-raising from Cumbria to Crewe.

She added: "The job meant a lot of travelling. I won't be missing that. But I will miss the place. Pendlebury has a lovely atmosphere and is a very special place."

Mrs Howarth will now spend more time with her family, including husband Denis. She added: "Pendlebury always needs money and it is now up to the public to try to keep things going.

"Unfortunately, its a bottomless pit, and they will have to go on with the fundraising."

Donations can still be made to the charities office at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Hospital Road, Swinton, Manchester, M27 4HA, with cheques made out to the Manchester Children's Hospital Charities.

QUIDS IN: Jean Howarth, who has raised millions for Pendlebury hospital, with patients Matthew Bonner, aged 11, and Connor Mann, aged four