CURRENT and past members of Okehampton Rotary united at the White Hart on Tuesday, to mark the club's 50th anniversary with a celebratory lunch.

The club was founded in 1964 by Albert Fullerwood, who was the first Okehampton Rotary president, Charles Orsler, a former Okehampton town clerk, and Mel Bickford, a bank manager.

In 1964, the club had 25 members during its maiden year.

One of those original members, Derek Allin, attended the celebratory lunch on Tuesday.

The club now has 40 members, and organises an array of events, including the May Fair and duck race in Simmons Park. Each year the rotary donates thousands of pounds to local causes raised by rotary members.

Rotary president Alan Roberton said: 'In our 50th year things for Okehampton Rotary are going well.

'Events are up on previous years, and we've got a few things in the pipeline for the year ahead.

'We have a new president each year, so I am extremely fortunate to be president during our 50th year.

'I am proud to be the club president during such an important year, and hope that Okehampton Rotary goes from strength to strength.

'I think the key to Okehampton Rotary's longevity is the desire, reflected across the whole Okehampton community, to help people less fortunate than yourselves.

'As a club, we enjoy supporting what causes we can, and we love encouraging sporting opportunities for youngsters in the area to help give them a brighter future.

'Rotary is not just a social club, it is a great force for good where like minded people meet up to make a difference to their community.'

One of the big events Okehampton Rotary is involved with in 2014 is the Autumn Challenge OK on Saturday, September 14.

The challenge is not a race, but a test of initiative, stamina and navigation skills over 14 miles of open moorland, taking around six to seven hours to complete.

The majority of sponsorship money will support the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team and the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, with the remainder going to other projects approved by Okehampton Rotary.

If you would like to find out more about Okehampton Rotary, visit the club's Facebook page, call 0845 576 0045 or e-mail the club at [email protected]">[email protected]