PEOPLE in the Okehampton area came together with a variety of events to raise funds for the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster. Staff at Okehampton Community Hospital raised more than £100. Nurses, managers and other healthcare professionals at the hospital decided not to send Christmas cards to each other this year, and chose to donate the cash they saved to the Disaster Emergency Committee fund. Matron Margaret Hamer said staff wanted to do their bit for such a worthy cause. ?People were very generous,? she added. Firefighters at Okehampton Fire Station on Saturday were busy washing cars to raise cash ? they totalled £300. Geoffrey Cox, Conservative spokesman for West Devon and Torridge, was joined by members of Devon County, West Devon Borough and Okehampton Town Councils at a coffee morning held by Torridge and West Devon Conservative Association on Saturday . The event, held in the Charter Hall, raised £350, which was donated to the appeal. The organisers thanked all who assisted or donated, for helping to make the event such a success. A charity auction to boost the appeal is being organised by trustees of the Winsford Trust at Halwill Junction. Local auctioneer Andrew Varley has agreed to conduct proceedings at the event. The venue has yet to be arranged but may be in Hatherleigh Market in the first week in February. If you have any items that you would like to donate to be sold at the event please contact the Winsford Centre 01409 221470 or Sandra Willetts on 01409 231537. Mrs Willetts, chair of the Winsford Trust said: ?We are willing to store smaller items at Winsford in Halwill Junction, but if anyone wants to pledge anything larger it would be better if movement could be arranged nearer the time.? The deadline for donations is January 31. The centre is open every Tuesday and Thursday. Among the first to back the auction was a local farmer who has already pledged ten big bales of straw.
