BETTING shop boss Doreen Almond is a fund-raising charity champion.

For more than 30 years, the Atherton Ladbrokes manageress has supported local causes.

Last year, at a glittering presentation evening at the Park Lane Hilton in London, she received a winner's trophy after being named the company's best ever fund-raiser.

That followed the donation of more than £5,000 from the Market Street betting shop to the NSPCC, which received more than £1m from Ladbrokes nationally.

Doreen's latest event -- last month's jumble sale and tombola in Bolton's Town Hall Square -- raised £600 for Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

Doreen and her team of helpers, including Joan Higson, Hindley manager Chris Carruthers, Wigan manager Elizabeth Evans and Margaret Collier, presented the cash this week.

Doreen, who worked at the Tyldesley shop for 12 years before moving to Atherton 21 years ago, is now preparing two hampers to raffle off for the hospice and St Anne's Hospice.

She said: "I've always done charity work at the shops, organising trips for underprivileged children, parties and race nights and we all get involved. Atherton is a busy little shop and our customers love something going on.

"When I won the award last year and had to go up on stage, I realised how the stars feel when they receive their Oscars. I was overwhelmed."

Doreen is now planning her retirement in February when she hopes to take a party of 14 friends to Dublin -- then continue working part time.