A MASSIVE £3,500 was raised at the Mayor's Party in the Park on Friday evening bringing the New Okehampton Hospital Appeal to over £200,000.

The fundraising event, held in a marquee in Simmons Park, was attended by around 200 people who enjoyed a fork supper and music by the Okehampton College Big Band and the Plymouth Police Choir.

When Mayor Christine Marsh had to cancel her civic dinner earlier in the year because of foot and mouth disease, she decided to hold a more informal event in its place later in the autumn to raise funds for her chosen charity.

A marquee was donated for the cause by Devon Marquees and it could not have been a better venue. Flamboyantly decorated with balloons, streamers and exotic flower arrangements, the venue had that special 'wow' factor that impressed all the guests.

Cllr Marsh said she could not have put on the event without the help of all the sponsors and friends — including Total Hire of Torquay who provided the crockery and cutlery and local businesses Heinz, Waitrose and Culworthy Cheese.

'Everybody worked together to make this happen and it really was something different,' she said. 'Luckily we had the marquee for the weekend so we had special events for the kids and the senior citizens as well.'

She gave special thanks to her army cadet/helper for the year Richard Boyce who sold 500 draw tickets.

On Saturday 100 children were treated to a feast of entertainment and a party lunch and later in the day a tea dance and cream tea were laid on for the senior citizens.

Deputy Mayor Frances Luxton said the Mayor's party was a successful event but selling tickets was no easy task.

'I think more support could have been given considering it was for the hospital which will benefit us all,' she said.

Cllr Luxton praised Christine Marsh for her commitment to the town, which even involved her staying overnight in the marquee whilst it was up to protect it from vandals.

'I was quite astonished Christine had to provide the security by sleeping in the marquee,' added Cllr Luxton. 'Are there no men in Okehampton anymore who could have offered to do this job?'