CROWDS flocked to a special event in Okehampton last Sunday, which raised around £5,000 for charity. The eighth Neil Cousins Memorial Day was this year hosted by the town?s football club, where the crowds were treated to some entertaining games played between the Okehampton Argyle players and Okehampton Rugby Club members. Ultimately, the football club were the victors, beating the rugby club 6-4. The youth game was also won by the football players 7-3 and in a penalty shoot out featuring the committee members of the two clubs, the football club made it a hat-trick of wins. During the afternoon the children were kept entertained with magic shows and a bouncy castle and the hot weather ensured the football club bar was kept busy for hours. The event culminated in an auction of lots donated by local businesses and groups, which raised £2,000. This year the funds raised are being split between Exeter Leukaemia Fund, Okehampton Argyle Football Club and Okehampton Rugby Club ? on Sunday, a cheque for £3,500 was presented to ELF, the profits from last year?s event. The annual charity fundraiser is staged in memory of Okehampton sports lover Neil Cousins, who died from leukaemia in 1997, aged 24. More than £30,000 has been raised for ELF in the last eight years. Next year?s event will be held at the rugby club.
