THE elves of the Elf Outpost will be returning to spread some Christmas magic in Okehampton on Sunday, as the month-long Festival of Goodwill gets underway.

Children coming along to the Festival of Goodwill launch day in the Charter Hall on December 1 will have the chance to meet the elves and receive a small present.

As in previous years, the event organised by charity One Okehampton is completely free for children taking part.

Organiser Rebecca Green said: ‘This year it is much bigger because this is the first year we have involved the PTFA at Okehampton Primary School so every child is filling in a message to the elves saying they will eat more vegetables or make someone smile every day.

‘The elves are going up to the school on Friday and they all get a voucher to come down on Sunday to meet the elves and get a present. This is a trial with the Okehampton Primary School and if it works we will incorporate all the other schools in the area.

She added: ‘The whole point of our Festival of Goodwill is to reduce isolation and the Elf Outpost is part of doing that.

‘Some kids might not get to see Father Christmas because their parents might be working, or they might be ill or have split up, or there might be a family bereavement. We are doing this because we don’t want any child to miss out.’

The Elf Outpost is part of the Festival of Goodwill, running throughout December in Okehampton which is aimed at banishing loneliness. ‘We recognise that this can be a difficult time of year for many people,’ said Rebecca.

The launch event at the Charter Hall on Sunday includes carols with the Okehampton Wellbeing Singers, as well as performances from the Rising Stars Drama Group, a rhythm and blues band and the Okehampton Commnity Dance Project as well as a community feast from 4.30pm.