Charity fundraiser Pete Finnegan has handed over a barrel load of cash to two charities - literally.

 

Pete, 68, of High Street, Bolton-upon-Dearne, has been collecting copper himself and off other local people since 2008 and after eventually filling the barrel in his garage, has given £1000 each to Robert Ogden School and Bluebell Wood Hospice.

 

Pete's desire to fill the barrel comes from both his lifelong fundraising for local charities and to prove some friends wrong.

 

"When I first got the barrel people told me I'd never fill it and since I started a few of them have kicked the bucket, I had to prove them wrong before I joined them," he said.

 

"There was almost three quarters of a tonne saved up and they had to take it away in two journeys. I think there must be around 200,000 coins in there but I'm not sure.

 

"The whole of the Dearne Valley contributed to filling it, I've got so many people to thank because it wasn't a one man show."

 

Pete, who was born in Ireland but moved here as a child, initially started saving money for Africa when he was still at school. He later worked down the mines and is currently writing a book bemoaning lack of appreciation for miners throughout the country.

 

He is concerned that young people will not carry on the torch.

 

"Young people need to get off their backsides more and do things for charity," he added.

 

"I've been doing it all my life. I've met some great friends through it and hopefully I've done a little bit of good."