TWO of Okehampton's charity shops have had a visit from the MP for Central Devon as he lent his support to a national campaign.

Mel Stride visited the town's Hospiscare and Oxfam shops to support the Choose Charity Shops campaign, which ran from May 14 to May 19.

The initiative was launched to encourage more people continually to donate directly to charity shops. Charity shops generate £200-million annually for a huge range of charitable causes, but rely on donations of second-hand goods from the public to continue to generate revenue.

Mr Stride said: 'The staff and volunteers I met were all very dedicated and rightly proud to be part of such good causes. It was a real pleasure to spend time with them and discuss the different ways their shops raise money.

'I would encourage anyone who has spare clothing or items they aren't using in their homes to think of shops like Oxfam and Hospiscare.'

Hospiscare's specialist team of nurses visit patients in their own homes, in hospital, and give 24-hour support at the charity's hospice in Exeter. Their services are free of charge to everyone who needs them throughout Exeter, mid and east Devon.

If you have any goods, or would like to volunteer with Hospiscare in Okehampton call 01837 53889.

Oxfam funds a wide range of projects in Third World countries, including installing pumps for clean water, providing textbooks and schools for children and providing life-saving medicines and education.

The Okehampton Oxfam shop is in need of volunteers. Anyone interested can contact the shop on 01837 54675.

For more information on the Choose Charity Shops campaign, visit http://www.choosecharityshops.org">www.choosecharityshops.org

RIGHT:?Mel Stride MP with Oxfam staff Sara Lamb, Pat Dayman and Jenny Hawkins.