Feature: Mom of sextuplets becomes grannie

LONDON -? The mom of the world's only all-girl sextuplets calls it a day, to enjoy life as a grandmother.

The Walton sextuplets take a photo with their mother Janet Walton on May 9, 2007. [Photo/IC]

She gave birth to the world's only surviving all-girl sextuplets, and now Janet Walton has become the four-million-dollar mom.

That's the amount of money the mother of six has helped raise for the baby hospital where her daughters were born in 1983.

Janet, at the age of 61, is retiring this month from her fund raiser role at Europe's leading mother and baby hospital, Liverpool Women's Hospital. She plans to spend more time as a grandmother following the arrival a few months ago of her first grandchild.

Janet and husband Graham, a painter and decorator, became global sensations when their girls made their spectacular entrance on Nov 18, 1983.

The couple, desperate for a family, had all but given up on fertility treatment after 12 unsuccessful attempts.

Instead they had decided to become adoptive parents, until at the 13th attempt Janet became pregnant.

The girls, all low weight, were born prematurely at Liverpool Maternity Hospital. First to arrive was Hannah (0.94 kg) followed by Lucy (1.3 kg), Ruth (1.2 kg), Sarah (1 kg), Kate (1.3 kg) and Jennie (1.6 kg).

More than 30 years later none of the Walton sextuplets have married, though most have boyfriends. Janet Walton only became a grandmother when fourth-born daughter Sarah gave birth to a baby girl, Georgie.

As well as bringing up six daughters, Janet has devoted her life to the Newborn Appeal at the Liverpool Women's Hospital, raising vital funds for the hospital's special care baby unit which cares for more than 1,000 tiny and vulnerable babies every year.

Initially helping as a volunteer fundraiser, Janet became full- time manager of the appeal in 1995.

Over the years she has helped to raise more than 2.5 million pounds for the Newborn Appeal, making her the "four million dollar" mom.

Earlier this year the six girls all marked their 30th birthdays by each having tattoos, six discreet hearts.

Jan, commenting on her retirement, said: "It's the right time to go. I've also had two hip replacements and had trouble with the old hip, and I'm now a grandmother, so I can spend time with my granddaughter Georgie. I love the job and all the people I've met and I couldn't be more grateful to all the friends and family who' ve helped me fundraise over the years."

This coming Christmas Janet and husband Graham will be hosting a festive dinner for their girls and their boyfriends, though the star of the show is expected to be latest arrival, Georgie.

The hospital's CEO, Kathy Thomson, said: "Janet has been a dedicated and caring individual who has always devoted herself to raising as much as possible for The Newborn Appeal."

"Her drive and determination has meant that since The Newborn Appeal was launched in April 1992, she has raised more than 2.5 million pounds," said Thomson.

"I'd like to thank Jan on behalf of Liverpool Women's Hospital for raising such an astonishing amount and for being such a great ambassador and supporter of our hospital. She will be hugely missed and very difficult to replace," added Thomson.

Janet Walton has explained her reasons for her fundraising work: "My personal reason for supporting the Newborn Appeal is to give thanks for all the care, attention and support given to me when my sextuplets daughters Hannah, Lucy, Ruth, Sarah, Kate and Jennie were born in November 1983. The generosity of people never ceases to amaze me."

Proud dad Graham says life as a father of six daughters of the same age has been one big adventure.

"I've loved it and would do it again in a heartbeat," he said, delighted his six girls are close friends with each other, making them one very big happy family.