A MAJOR celebration event was held in Okehampton last week, involving more than 30 local groups and organisations which have benefited from funding from the Okehampton United Charity.

It was the first time Okehampton United Charity and Okehampton Educational Foundation have ever held such an event — and it proved such a success that there are already plans to hold an even bigger and better one next year.

Karen Percival, clerk to the charities, said: 'We do an awful lot of work supporting things in Okehampton and yet we are not as well known as we would like to be.

'The evening was to try to bring together the groups we have funded and also raise our profile a little bit more.

'It went really well — we have had a lot of positive responses from some of the people who attended, saying it was lovely to meet the trustees themselves — and it was good for us, because a lot of the time we deal with the applications and don't get to meet the people involved.

'Everyone I have spoken to said it was a really positive experience and we are definitely going to do it again next year.'

All 35 of the organisations supported by the charities in 2011 were invited to attend the showcase event at the Octagon Theatre and the trustees were delighted to welcome about 50 representatives to the evening.

Mulled wine and mince-pies were enjoyed as the charities' chairman Derek Webber offered a brief overview of the work undertaken by the charities in 2011.

In addition to the 35 grants awarded to local organisations in Okehampton and its four hamlets, more than 100 grants have been awarded to local individuals, helping to support them in further education, sport or to prevent hardship.

Okehampton College and Okehampton Primary School receive allocations from the Educational Foundation and the charities have awarded grants totalling more than £334,000 in 2011.

Okehampton College, Otters Swimming and Lifesaving group, Wren, Room 13 and OCRA all offered presentations on the projects supported by the charities in 2011.

The evening concluded with more mince-pies and an opportunity for the guests to speak individually to the trustees and other guests about their projects in 2011 and plans for 2012.

Cllr Christine Marsh, who is a trustee of the Okehampton United Charity, said: 'It was a lovely evening, really great.

'I just think it's brilliant that we are able to help so many people and the evening showcased what all these different organisations are doing in the town.

'For example, several people came up to me and said, "I didn't know all that went on at Room 13" — there's a lot more good things going on in Okehampton than many people think.'

If you are involved in a group in Okehampton and have plans for 2012, get in touch with Karen Percival the charities' clerk via the charities' website http://www.okehamptoncharities.org.uk">www.okehamptoncharities.org.uk to see if Okehampton United Charity or Okehampton Educational Foundation could help support your project.