A RACE night was recently held in aid of the HANDSTAND appeal for Marshall Janson at Tavistock's Conservative Club.

The night raised a total of £885.26 which will go straight to the Marshall family from St Columb, Cornwall. Marshall, who will be two this year, contracted meningitis in December and was rushed to hospital where he had both his hands and feet amputated.

Marshall now faces a lifetime of rehabilitation while adapting to the use of prosthetic limbs. As he is so young Marshall will continually require new prosthetic limbs as he grows — he will require at least one pair of hands, at least once a year, every year until he is sixteen. A pair of hands costs £22,000.

Paul Doyle, who organised the event, said: 'I was made aware of Marshall's plight after watching his story on the local West Country news. I have organised many fundraising nights for various charities and hence I held one for Marshall.'

Mr Doyle expressed thanks to all the sponsors of the event and local firms who donated raffle prizes.

The president and chairwoman Mr and Mrs Fred Frost are pictured presenting the cheque to Paul Doyle and Karin Sutherland on behalf of the HANDSTAND appeal.