WEST Devon residents are gearing up to go the extra mile for Sport Relief this weekend — and look all set to be joined by a special four-legged friend. At least one participant taking part in the Sport Relief mile will have four legs, long ears and extra large teeth. Sunday March 16, as well as being the date for Sport Relief miles taking place around the country, is also Palm Sunday. All Saints Parish Church in Okehampton have decided to hold their usual procession with a donkey but this time they will be going the extra mile to celebrate both events. Instead of starting from Okehampton Primary School car park, as is traditionally the case, the procession will start at Okehampton Police Station. The procession will then make its way to the church, a distance of exactly one mile, for a family communion service at the parish church. The Rev Stephen Cook, rector of Okehampton, said: 'Palm Sunday is always a special occasion for us and having the donkey as our guest has been an important part of it. 'We want to support Sport Relief and this seemed like a good way of doing it. 'People will still have time to join one of the afternoon starts at the college if they want to run the mile there or they can choose to sponsor the donkey. 'The donkey sanctuary have promised us a fit donkey so we're not sure if it will be our old friend "Pickles" or one of the others. 'We always make much of him and when he arrives at the church we make a guard of honour and lay our palms on the path for him to walk over, just like the people did on the first Palm Sunday.' The procession will leave the police station car park at 10am and the service will start at 11am. People are welcome to join at any point along the route. Okehampton College is the West Devon venue for the Sport Relief mile and a whole day of fun and excitement, with the benefit of aiding a worthwhile cause, has been planned. People are encouraged, even if they choose not to run the mile, to come down to the college and sample some of the activities on offer. People wishing to run the mile can enter on the day, visit the website http://www.sportrelief.com">www.sportrelief.com or call 0871 2001515. The event will take place between 10am and 5pm with runners setting of at 11am, noon, 1pm and 2pm.
