MORE THAN 30 years ago a young postman accepted a bet in a Bacup pub to run to Todmorden and back.

The run took an hour and his drinking pals put a few pound in the charity jar behind The Crown's bar.

Since then the postman -- former Rossendale mayor Jimmy Eaton -- has raised a quarter of a million pounds for local charities. In his mayoral year alone the 53-year-old raised £25,000 which is more than double the previous record for mayors of Rossendale.

He has now been nominated for our Pride of East Lancashire Outstanding Volunteer Award by pal Ronnie Barker.

Ronnie said: "Jimmy has managed to harness the community into his efforts and this acts as motivation for his continuing success."

The thrust of Jimmy's charity work is aimed at the elderly but the hundreds of sponsored events and concerts he has organised have benefited all manner of charitable organisations and deserving individuals.

But Jimmy's achievements, he says, are not just down to himself but a large number of local people. He said: "I am grateful to all of the people who sponsor me and who donate raffle prizes and also to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for publicising events. Without any of those I would not have raised the money that I have. There has to be somebody to motivate events."Nominations for our Outstanding Volunteer will be accepted until September 30.

The winner, to be announced in November, will receive a £2000 holiday and £1000 cash.