THE organiser of the annual Rugby Ball at at Tavistock Town Hall over the past four years thanked all those who have supported the event, which has raised thousands of pounds for good causes.

Organiser Rosemary Whitehouse said the venue was a wonderful place for the event and especially thanked Lisa Hair for the catering, Condy Mathias Chartered Accountants for the champagne reception, the beautiful flowers donated by Lanoyce Nurseries and Tavistock Flower Club for the delightful table displays.

Rosemary said: 'I am indebted to the businesses in and around Tavistock who have taken advertisements in The Rugby Ball brochure each year, while trading in difficult economic times they have continued to supported the ball.'

The Rugby Ball was conceived in 2008 as a fund raiser to help Devonport High School rugby U15s to go on tour to South Africa and the Tavistock Rugby Club U15s to go on tour to France. It was such a successful event that it was decided to make it an annual event which would also include charitable donations.

In 2009 The Rugby Ball raised about £5,000 with some of the money going to Tavistock U16's rugby tour to Ireland and the rest to St Luke's Hospice in Plymouth. In 2010 £6,000 was raised. Monies were distributed between the Tavistock Colts tour to Holland and the Maxillo facial department at Derriford Hospital. It including £500 a year for three years to sponsor a young trainee nurse in India to pay for her training and basic needs - arranged through the marvellous work done by Colonel Joan Williams of the local Salvation Army.

This year ball raised £6,000. Some of the money is going to Tavistock Rugby Colts tour to Holland and £2,000 to Young Devon to help the young carers.  £500 to our trainee nurse and various other sums has been distributed locally to other good causes.

n The next Rugby Ball will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012.