Secret Millionaire gives away thousands in Falinge

A multi-millionaire businesswoman gave away £160,000 to community projects in Falinge as part of the hit television series 'Secret Millionaire'. Hilary Devey, who founded a leading pallet distribution company in Leicestershire, gave some of the money to a community centre and some to a youth music project, the identities of which will be revealed when the show airs on Channel 4 tomorrow night (Tuesday 8 September 2008) at 9pm.

Ms Devey swapped her luxury home to live in a Falinge council flat for ten days as she went undercover to find individuals and projects in the deprived area who she thought were worthy of a part of her fortune.

The Bolton-born mother-of-one used the experience to get back to her North West roots and spent her time in Rochdale working as a barmaid in a local pub while she looked out for the causes that were worthy of a slice of her millions. The volunteers at all of the groups were unaware of her fortune.

The Falinge area is thought to be one of the most deprived areas of the North West. It was the scene of damning report on GMTV, which dubbed it the 'scrounging capital of the Uk' after claiming that 80% of its residents were on benefits.

The report was widely condemned by local politicians and residents alike and Ms Devey said that although it was clear the area had its problems, there were some 'really nice, honest genuine people' living there.

The millionaire gave the money away at the end of her ten day stay after she revealed her secret identity. The money will help the groups to carry on their vital community work.

Ms Devey's Pall-Ex company employs thousands of people across the country.