TO MOST of us money's the secret to a happy life but for these people untold riches simply gave them empty lives - until they found salvation by sharing the cash.

WHO hasn't dreamed of what it might be like to have millions in the bank?

The reality for many millionaires, though, whether they have won, earned or inherited their cash, is that being rich can leave them feeling unfulfilled. After all, even the novelty of being able to buy whatever material possessions your heart desires can wear off. An increasing number of very wealthy individuals are turning to philanthropy, promoting the welfare of others especially by investing money in good causes.

DAWN GIBBINS MBE, 50, is a flooring entrepreneur and sold her company Flowcrete for more than £30million in 2008. she runs the barefoot Foundation and lives in Congleton, Cheshire, with daughters Michelle, 22, and april, 20. she says:

The first thing I did when I became a multi-millionaire was go backpacking, working with orphans and homeless people in Nepal. That opened my eyes to how much poverty there is in the world, not least here in the UK.

I started Flowcrete with my late father Peter when I was 22 and I’ve had a very successful career. I’ve got two beautiful daughters and a wonderful family. Yet not everyone is so lucky. Last November I took part in Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire, during which I went to Bristol and worked in a café that serves around 70,000 meals a year to homeless people.

Many of them were in a bad way with addictions to alcohol and drugs. I experienced the poverty and despair that we have here in the UK. I gave away £250,000 of my own money during the programme and returned to Cheshire knowing I wanted to do more of the same.

That’s why I launched The Barefoot Foundation as a means of using my money, expertise and time to help eradicate poverty and abuse in the UK and encourage others to help too. When I became a millionaire people assumed I’d surround myself with possessions and buy a private jet.

I did have a Bentley for a little while but I felt so up myself driving around in it that I swapped it for a Mini. I know so many millionaires who are unhappy despite their riches. I want to be a female Robin hood and introduce these people to philanthropy too. I’ve got to earn money for my daughters and me to live on but the rest will go to helping other people.