FORMER betting shop manager Doreen Almond had a 60th dream birthday and retirement she will never forget.

After she left her post at Ladbroke's, Atherton, last May after 34 years, three of her long-time wishes came true - thanks to her family and staff.

She travelled on the Orient Express to Ladies' Day at Ascot and had Tyldesley Prize Band to play at her birthday bash at Tyldesley RU Club.

But it wasn't long before Doreen was missing the office and went back working part-time as a cashier and carrying on charity fund raising at the Market Street bookies.

This week as a result of their efforts the staff presented £4,000 from the Ladbroke's Trust to the Francis House Children's Hospice towards buying water beds and water chairs to help ease the patients' suffering.

They have also collected £700 for the Tsunami Disaster Fund. Days after the killer wave struck on Boxing Day an appeal went up in the shop for unwanted Christmas gifts and in no time 130 were donated.

The staff used the presents for a tombola which they organised on the forecourt at Leigh Asda and raised £450 in 80 minutes towards the total. They even have enough of the items left for a tombola at their next race night at the Atherton Arms on March 24.

Doreen said: "We have given two donations to Wigan and Leigh Hospice so we thought his time we would help the children's hospice who need some water beds and chairs. I have four grandchilden myself and I hope they never have the need for anything like that.

"While we were raising money for the disaster appeal we were amazed when a young man came in with a bag of coins he was going to weigh in. He decided to donate it to the appeal and there was almost £70.

"There are more good people than bad around thank goodness."