THE chairman of Devon County Council, Cllr Christine Marsh, has volunteered to take part in the Royal Marine Challenge on Woodbury Common on Tuesday December 14, to raise funds for local charity, Devon Community Foundation.

Cllr Marsh, of Okehampton, alongside the High Sheriff of Devon, Mrs Elizabeth d'Erlanger, and Lady Caroline Lawson, hopes to complete the gruelling two and a half mile endurance course, including obstacles such as the infamous 'sheep dip', to raise thousands of pounds for the Devon charity.

Every pound raised will be matched by the government as part of its Grassroots Challenge.

Cllr Marsh said: 'Every pound is important, and with Gift Aid, it means even more money will go towards helping all sorts of community and voluntary groups that are on the frontline in helping some of Devon's most vulnerable people." 

'My thanks to the Royal Marines for allowing me to take the challenge.  I'm very much looking forward to successfully finishing it!'

Over the last few years Devon Community Foundation has made more than £1.3-million in grants to over 660 local voluntary groups working in local communities to support local people in need and build better, more inclusive communities.  

It is one of 56 Community Foundations across the UK helping organisations, business and individuals to invest in local community projects they care about.

Martha Wilkinson, chief executive of Devon Community Foundation said: 'On behalf of all the community groups that we help, I'd like to thank the Chairman of Devon County Council, the High Sherrif and Lady Caroline Lawson for their amazing courage in taking up the challenge and for their commitment to  the hundreds of local voluntary groups, which as Devon's local charity for local people we support.'