CHARITY champ Jimmy Eaton has raised £277,000 for good causes - but reckons even that's not good enough!

For the Bacup councillor has set himself a new goal to reach a target of £300,000 in the next two years.

Jimmy, who is famous throughout Rossendale for his annual pensioners' Christmas parties, will do almost anything to raise money.

Over the years he has run, cycled, and swam as well as organising sportsman's dinners, auctions and music extravaganzas to raise cash for charities, organisations and individuals who have asked for his help.

Jimmy, whose wife Janet helps organise the events, said: "We've done that many charity events I've lost count -- although I do keep a list of everything we've done to refresh my memory.

"Sixteen years ago we raised money for a disabled girl who wanted to go to the parolympics.

"In the end she couldn't go so we gave the money we had raised to a blind man and he came back with a gold medal.

"We've raised money for Rossendale Hospice, Mencap, Gateway, local schools, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, athletics clubs, the Britannia Coconutters and the Scouts as well as individuals. We've just raised £3,000 for three girls who are going to cycle across the Canadian Rockies for charity."

Postman Jimmy has brought some of the biggest 1960s and 70s bands, including Showaddywaddy and The Searchers, to Rossendale for charity nights.

And he has run thousands of miles himself to boost his fund-raising coffers.

He said: "I've done a few marathons and triathlons over the years. I did a triathlon of the equivalent distance of going from John O'Groats to Bacup.

"I had to do a five-mile run in the morning, 80 to 100 miles on a bike in the afternoon, and then swimming in the evening. I raised £16,000 by running from Blackpool to Bacup in five and a half hours, and Alder Grange and Fearns School pupils ran with me in relay.

"I've done a couple of marathons, running from Bacup to Burnley, then to Rawtenstall and Edenfield and then back to Bacup again. It's hard work, but it is all worth it.

"If anybody tells me about a good cause, then I always say that if I can help. I will."

In the past year Jimmy has raised £11,000, so he is hoping to raise another £23,000 over the next two years to reach his £300,000 target.

This year he is organising events in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, the pensioners' parties, and legendary local dancers the Britannia Coconutters.

He said: "I just want to thank the people of Rossendale for their generosity. If it wasn't for them it wouldn't have been possible to raise all this money."

Jimmy is looking for a main sponsor for the sportsman's dinner he has organised with Paddy Crerand as guest speaker. If you can help contact Jimmy on 01706 878153.