RESIDENTS of an Okehampton street are showing their community spirit by holding a huge garage sale in support of a terminally ill man living there.

Geoff Shepheard is holding a multiple garage sale in order to raise funds for Hospiscare. The sale will take place in a number of garages along Baldwin Drive on Saturday, September 17 from 10am to 4pm.

Geoff, who was diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, is hosting the large garage sale in order to raise money for Hospiscare. The Devon based charity provides free care and support to local people suffering with terminal illnesses and those close to them.

Geoff alongside his family, friends and neighbours are calling themselves The Baldwin Drive Association. They welcome all members of the local community to come along and support and visitors will be encouraged to browse the different items that will be up for sale.

The garage sale will include various household items, furniture, ornaments, second hand toys and games, and CDs.

Geoff said: ‘This is something that I have never done before, it’s a new idea which I hope encourages my neighbours and local community to join me in raising money for a good cause. Each garage will have a sign indicating that they are part of the sale. If all goes to plan, visitors will come to my house first if there is something specific that they wish to buy, then I will be able to direct them to the particular garage that is likely to have that item.’

Profits made at the sale will go towards Hospiscare, Geoff said that he wished to thank all who work for Hospiscare as they have helped him through a very difficult time.

Geoff said: ‘I am organising the garage sale because I have terminal cancer and I wish to raise some money for Hospiscare.

‘The nurses and volunteers do a lot for a number of people and I know they are very busy in the Okehampton area, as they make a number of visits to various other people on my street.

‘The garage sale is my way of saying thank you to Hospiscare for everything they have done for me.’

Around 147 people living in Okehampton and the surrounding area were cared for by Hospiscare last year.

The care provider launched in 1982 with just two Exeter community nurses, since then Hospiscare has significantly expanded and now provides specialist care for terminally ill people across all of Mid and East Devon.

To find out more about Hospiscare visit www.hospiscare.co.uk and if you wish to make a donation visit www.hospiscare.co.uk/ donate

To find out more about the timings of the event, see our forthcoming events section on page 17.