A SPLENDID cheque for £6,000 was presented to Okehampton's New Hospital Fund last Friday, thanks to the Manor House and Ashbury Hotels.
The hotels have set themselves a target of £15,000 to raise for the appeal, so they have already reached the 40 per cent mark of their goal.
The money has been raised through monthly draws, entered by the staff of the two hotels, with the company matching these contributions.
In addition, many guests of the two hotels have made voluntary contributions.
Major suppliers were approached in April and asked for donations in cash or prizes for the 20 monthly draws — the last one taking place in January 2003.
This has worked out to around £125 per month of charitable contributions.
The generous suppliers who have joined the fundraising appeal are 3663 (Bookers Food Service), Bookers Cash and Carry butchery department, F J Milford, Corline Catering, Unigate Dairies, Fishes of Exeter, Courage Brewery and Waverleys.
Dr Paul Nielson, who accepted the cheque on behalf of the New Hospital Appeal, said: 'It is with enormous pleasure that the appeal has had such a great boost this week, due to the efforts and energies of the staff at the Manor House and Ashbury Hotels.'
Dr Nielson paid tribute to Simon and Joan Essex of the two hotels, and their staff for such a magnificent effort.
'This is the single biggest donation we have received,' he said.
To boost funds further, a charity golf event is to be held at Ashbury next summer, which hopefully should bring the amount raised to the target figure.
The fundraising by the two hotels is to provide specific equipment for the outpatients and casualty department of the new hospital.