THIS slimmer's weight loss is Bolton Hospice's gain.

Margaret Ainscow lost 23 pounds on a sponsored slim -- netting the Hospice a remarkable £7,000.

Super-trim Margaret piled on the pounds when a rare disease forced her to eat to stay alive. The illness, Insulinoma, was diagnosed after she suffered two strokes. It caused her pancreas to produce too much insulin and Margaret was told to eat every few hours to survive.

She was cured when a small tumour was removed -- but the battle against the bulge had only just begun.

In March, she decided to get ready to look good at 40 -- minus the flab.

And as she had just lost her father to cancer -- he spent the final hours of his life in Bolton Hospice -- she decided a sponsored slim in aid of the charity would be perfect.

"After his death I decided that I had to do something positive in order to ease my grief and give myself something to focus on," Margaret said.

"It is only when cancer touches our lives that we stop to think about what we can do to help.

Comfort

"Since I began this, two of my friends have also died at the Hospice and my 38-year-old friend Chris Campbell has fought, and I hope beaten, cancer."

The money raised will be used to buy High Risk Pressure Relieving Mattresses. A local supplier has promised Margaret £9,600 worth of the mattresses for just £7,000 in recognition of her efforts.

Margaret said: "I decided that if I could raise enough money to buy special mattresses to give comfort to patients in their final hours, it would be a wonderful achievement."

Sensible eating -- including Marks and Spencer's (one of her sponsors) low-fat range -- and regular swimming sessions at the Esporta health club (who also supported her cause) resulted in slimming success.

"You have to be disciplined but I did it for a reason," said Margaret, who now weighs 11st 4lbs and wears a size 14 or 12.

"I'm going to continue for my own benefit.

"I definitely feel better now I've lost the weight."

With support from friends, family and local businesses, Margaret was able to raise the bumper sum in six months.

In one night, a fund-raiser at The Tramways Hotel on Blackburn Road raised £1,350.

A fund-raiser at Queen Anne Public House in Little Lever raised £858 -- thanks to a "karaoke challenge".

Margaret said: "The fund-raisers have been hard work to organise, but when they are happening, it's magic."

A previous article in the BEN, prompted Ye Oldie Pastie Shoppe customers on Deansgate to donate £200.

And a 26-mile sponsored row, inspired by Chris Campbell, saw his brother Phil and cousin Paul Toole raise £1,229 in three hours.

Last weekend, on Margaret's 40th birthday, she presented her cheque to the Hospice at The Tramways Hotel.

"It seems very strange to be coming to the end of my 'mission'," she said.

"I can't begin to thank all those who contributed raffle prizes, but thanks to David Lloyd, Bolton Wanderers, Pat and Pat from The Tramways, Pauline and Les from Queen Ann, and the rowers and many local businesses."

To make a donation contact James Emmett at Bolton Hospice on 01204-520040. BEFORE THE SLIM: Margaret Ainscow before she lost 23 pounds, showing her wedding picture Ref: J631/4 AFTER BEATING THE BULGE: Margaret looking trim Ref: J2846/24