A sales assistant in charge of a store's pick-and-mix counter has helped sweet-talk customers into donating thousands of pounds for worthy causes.

And Jean Dworakowski's cheerful collecting methods at Woolworths in Shipley have so impressed customer Robert Durn that he wrote to the Telegraph & Argus to say her efforts were worthy of New Year recognition.

The 45-year-old part-time sales assistant, who lives in Cottingley, has been the store's nominated charity collector for about four years, shaking her tins around the store on Saturdays roughly once a month.

Thousands have been raised for Woolworths' nationally-nominated charity Whizz Kidz, which provide wheelchairs and other equipment for disabled youngsters.

Since last spring alone, some £2,500 has been collected for Whizz Kidz in Shipley, more than at any of the other 19 stores in the chain's Halifax district.

Hundreds have also been collected for the Lord Mayor of Bradford's appeal fund, which is raising money for the special care baby units at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale General Hospital.

Mr Durn, 37, who lives at Thorpe Edge, said: "Jean's always smiling, is very polite and lets you know the money she's collecting is really appreciated.

Jean said she had been touched by Mr Durn's comments, adding: "I just enjoy doing it and the people of Shipley have been so generous.''

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