ALMOST £2,600 was donated to two local charities by the outgoing mayor of West Devon Borough Council as his year in office drew to a close. Cllr William Cann raised the money for Hospiscare and Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research through a variety of fundraising activities, including a raffle, civic dinner and civic service. A cheque for £1,297.50 was presented to Gay Hill from the Chagford branch of Hospiscare at the council's annual meeting at Kilworthy Park in Tavistock last week. Gay said: 'This is a very generous donation and the money will be really useful in supporting all the work we do.' Mary Tomes from Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research Okehampton fundraising group received a cheque for the same amount at the mayoral awards presentation evening at Kilworthy Park. Mary said: 'I am absolutely delighted to be presented with this cheque by the mayor and mayoress. 'A person is diagnosed with blood cancer in the UK every 15 minutes so every penny makes a difference and will help immensely.' Cllr Cann said: 'I would like to thank the councillors, staff and members of the public who supported my fundraising this year and gave so generously. 'These are two very deserving charities and it was the icing on the cake after a tremendous year in office to be able to hand over a cheque to both good causes.' Cllr Cann has now stepped down as Mayor and Cllr Christine Marsh takes on the role for the next 12 months. Her charity for the year will be the Royal British Legion to coincide with the 100th anniversary of World War One.