FUNDRAISER Billy Birch received 'one hell of a boost' after being sent a £1,000 donation.

The cash came from the Big Chance Lottery for an appeal which he has already concluded.

Last month we told how Billy had hit his latest target of £1,745, enabling him to buy a pulse oxymeter for the baby unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

With that appeal completed and the machine on order at the hospital, he had started to look round for fresh fundraising ventures.

Then the former Ellesmere Port resident opened his mail, and found the lottery had sent him £1,000.

Jim Baxter, of Big Chance, told him in a letter: 'This is to go toward the cost of the oxymeter.'

Since that was now impossible, Billy consulted with staff at the baby unit and decided the cash should be spent on a breast pump instead.

He said: 'They need four pumps. They have got two at the moment and are in desperate need of two more.

'And if you buy one, then you get the second free. So that is what this cheque will pay for.'

Talking about the donation, Billy thanked Big Chance and said: 'It was a hell of shock. I was stunned. It was a big booster.

'It was especially welcome because they did this for us, yet some local companies let you down.'

He had applied to the lottery months ago and didn't know the donation was on its way.

Big Chance has helped the Countess in the past, for example, in buying a 28in-screen TV for the Kids Zone in A&E and various monitors.

Billy, of Wirral, also wants to pay for some baby baths and cot mobiles for the baby unit.

He has raised a total of £54,500 for the Countess and other good causes since starting fundraising in the region more a decade ago.

He received a letter from Claudio Ranieri, head coach at Chelsea FC, who had heard of his charity work and called Billy a 'special man'.

Mr Ranieri added: 'Well done for all that you have achieved.

'You have made a real difference to many people's lives and that is something you should feel proud of. I'm sure your late wife would also have been very proud of you.' Billy's Christmas appeal, backed by the Pioneer, to collect new toys for children up to the age of 16 in the Countess of Chester Hospital during the festive season is now open.

If you have anything to donate, please bring the items into our office at 66 Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port.

Billy urged social clubs across the borough to get involved and start collecting toys for the appeal. T J Hughes workers are also backing him.