Health bosses are now deciding how to use the money

The 98-year-old, who is from Greater Manchester, bought shares in a water firm for �5,000 more than 20 years ago and they have since soared in value.

With no family, the man decided to give the shares to the hospital- which last week sold them for �1.78m.

Hospital bosses are now deciding how to spend the money - their biggest donation from a living person.

The donor was successfully treated for cancer at the hospital 20 years ago.

As a former patient, Christie's was the obvious choice for him. We can't thank him enough Toni Leden, appeals director

He said: "I'm really very pleased to be giving this donation to such a deserving cause as Christie Hospital.

"The work they do for cancer treatment and research is extremely important and I'm sure they'll be able to put the money to some really good use over the next few years, helping patients in the future."

Toni Leden, the hospital's appeals director, described the gesture as "an amazing act of human kindness".

"This is by no means a rich man and he lives a very ordinary life.

"He made an investment many years ago that has performed amazingly well.

"Now he doesn't need the money but wants to make sure it is put to good use.

"As a former patient, Christie's was the obvious choice for him. We can't thank him enough."