PEOPLE in the Okehampton area are this week being urged to support a special event which may help an important community service stay afloat. The night of fun, entertainment and fundraising is being held in the town?s White Hart Hotel tomorrow (Friday). It will raise funds for Puzzle Tree, an important community based advice and support service for people with learning disabilities from the area. Based at the Okehampton Table Tennis Club, Puzzle Tree has been supporting people with learning disabilities for the past three years. They operate under the umbrella of Mencap and Care Devon. In the last year, Puzzle Tree staff have had to raise the required funding to keep the centre running. They have raised a total of £11,850 but this will only keep the service afloat until March 2008. Jonathan, a Puzzle Tree service user, said: ?Puzzle Tree helps a lot of people and offers good advice and support.? Jean, another service user, added: ?Puzzle Tree is nice, we can meet our friends and get the help we need. I would be sad if it had to close.? The evening of fun at the White Hart Hotel is a great chance for Puzzle Tree to raise more funds, with all proceeds from the event going towards vital funding for the Puzzle Tree Drop-In Centre. The evening will include entertainment from singer and songwriter Mike Scott. There will be music from ?Beer in the Wood? who are described as, ?the best local singing sensation since the Von Trapps?. Lynda Fenhim, Puzzle Tree?s co-ordinator, said: ?Please come along and support our fundraising evening so our much needed service can continue.? Tickets for the event cost £4 and are available from Puzzle Tree on 01837 659796 or from Derek Moore on 01837 659796. Tickets will also be available on the night.
