A FORMER Yelverton resident is organising an African Festival and Mount Kilimanjaro climb to raise money for St Luke's Hospice.

Richard Down, whose favourite places are Dartmoor and Tavistock, decided he wanted to raise money for the hospice after learning that they needed to raise at least £3.5-million from local communities.

His mother, Jennifer Murray West, who lives in Tavistock, said Richard had visited the hospice and been inspired by the kindness and care given to patients, but horrified at the lack of funding.

He is funding the Mount Kilimanjaro climb, which will take place in September, himself so that all sponsorship money can go to the charity, but as he felt it might not raise enough he decided to organise the African Festival to raise more.

The festival will be held in Plymouth, at St Matthias Hall, North Hill, which is on the bus route from Tavistock. It will take place on Saturday, June 20 from 10am to 10pm and will include African music, authentic African food, celebrity guests, an auction of services and goods, dancers, drums, actors, a fashion parade, stalls, workshops, exhibitions and guest speakers.

Admission will be £2.50 adults and 50p children from 3 to 12. To support Richard or make a donation, visit http://www.justgiving.com/richarddown">www.justgiving.com/richarddown