TWO Bolton licensees have celebrated the start of 1999 with a boost to reward their mammoth charity efforts.

Dan Coughlan and his partner Caroline Hollins decided to turn their own personal tragedy into a positive future for local youngsters.

Dan and Caroline, who run The Crofters on Halliwell Road, lost their baby Jamie last year. Jamie died after a desperate eight week battle for life after being born prematurely.

Despite their sad loss, they were so touched and impressed by the care given at the Princess Anne Maternity Unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital that they started a big fund-raising campaign for the unit.

In a year, with the help of customers and friends, they raised more than £1,000. In recognition of their efforts they have been presented the Inn Partnership Heart of the Community Award, sponsored by Boddingtons.

Dan said: "Unfortunately we lost our own baby, but we then decided to devote our fund-raising efforts to one cause, the special baby care unit."

The couple received £100 to donate to the charity of their choice and a framed photograph of everyone involved in fund-raising.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.