A NUMBER of community groups in Okehampton and surrounding villages were celebrating the week before Christmas after receiving substantial grants from the EX20 Lottery. But concerns have been raised by Cllr Christine Marsh, who initiated the lottery, about the viability of its future. The lottery was launched at Okehampton Show in 2000. In the seven years since it began it has donated more than £86,000 to community groups within the EX20 area and handed out more than £60,000 in prize money. The lottery can be played weekly or through standing orders for a longer period. There are four winners each week and even after a number is drawn it goes back into the draw so, theoretically, one person could win all four prizes. Cllr Marsh said: 'The sad thing is, is that the lottery is declining. At its height the first prize exceeded £90 and now it has dropped to around the £60 mark. 'It is understandable because there are greater pressures on people's money and many simply can't afford it. Even though it is only £1 a week it is still money that is going somewhere else. 'Newsagents collect money weekly but the core of the money comes from standing orders, many that have existed since we began. 'I am eternally grateful to all those people who have supported us from the start, they have been the backbone of the lottery and without them it would not have made the difference it has. 'The EX20 Lottery is there to support any community facility, for people of all ages and from all walks of life. 'When we recently presented cheques to seven different groups, two of them told me that this money will make the world of difference to them. 'The lottery has, and still will, make a difference and is still raising a lot of money. However, it is declining and I need more people to join to be able to continue the work we do.' The lottery gave a total of £3,800 to seven different groups in the week before Christmas. Room 13, the youth café on St James Street, received money for two laptops that will help with after-school sessions for research. The laptops will be used in Room 13 and in North Tawton Youth Centre. Other groups that benefited were the Devon Air Ambulance, Okehampton and District Junior Tennis Club, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in the Okehampton area and the 2443 Squadron Air Cadets. Wren Music received a donation towards a lighting rig, and the STOC conservation group, who help improve the environment and work with volunteers who have learning difficulties, received a grant for a new trailer. Cllr Marsh added: 'Okehampton is lucky because it also benefits from the Okehampton United charities, however, the villages don't have this but they do have the EX20 Lottery.' Anyone who wishes to play or join the lottery should contact Cllr Marsh, visit Ann Sander's newsagents on Westbridge or, alternatively, the town hall. The prize fund is 35% of the total money staked each week so, as with the National Lottery, prizes fluctuate. All winners are paid automatically, usually within 48 hours of the draw. There are eight bonus draws each year that take place on Valentine's Day, Easter, May Day, Midsummer's Day, Okehampton Show Day, Okehampton Carnival, Bonfire Night and Edwardian Evening. There have been many winners of the EX20 lottery but the main and continued winner is the EX20 community itself.
