BOOKIE’S £1.25M LIFESAVER

„

A £4MILLION appeal to buy equipment to help save the lives of seriously ill children has reached the half-way stage because of a bookmaker.

Betfred boss Fred Done donated all profits, £1.25million, from over-the-counter bets made on Tuesday to the iMRI Appeal.

„

Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital is raising cash to buy the state-ofthe-art scanner to help children with brain conditions.

Tuesday saw the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, while Manchester City also played Schalke in the Champion’s League.

„

Fred, 75, who lost his wife Mo last year after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour, turned up at the hospital yesterday for a surprise presentation.

He said: “It is truly humbling that I have been able to help with this appeal for much-needed equipment.

„

“There could not have been a better result for the scanner appeal than the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.

“From my own sad experience, I know how important it is to have world-class equipment available to help save the lives of your loved ones.

„

“The new scanner will save the lives of seriously ill children brought to Manchester from all over the country and that is a fitting tribute to Mo’s memory.

“I feel privileged that I have been able to help.”

„

He said the NHS was the “one undisputed winner” at the festival. He added: “I felt as if my wife had sent a message to God to look after the children. “While she is at it, she might as well have a word with him because it could get me into heaven. That’s the only way I will get in that’s for sure.”