GRANTS totalling £2,000 have been awarded to local charities and groups by Okehampton Town Council. The council?s policy and resources committee considered several applications for financial assistance to be made through its grant aid budget. OCRA and St John Ambulance (Okehampton Division) both received £500 from the council. The council agreed to continue to support OCRA?s Sportsweek which took place last week and offers a wide range of opportunities to try out different sporting events for young and old alike. St John Ambulance will use their money towards the purchase of a portable shelter to be erected at the various sporting and community events which St John volunteers attend. Divisional superintendent Dot Kaines said: ?The duties we had at the weekend were a clay pigeon shoot in Hatherleigh and then we were in Simmons Park on Sunday for Sports Week. ?The weather was so hot, we needed a shelter; fortunately, we were provided with one at both events. ?However, we are not always so lucky and it will be good to have a purpose-built one we can take to events ourselves.? The total cost of the portable shelter is likely to be around £1,300. The committee also agreed to support requests for funds to the tune of £300 each to Okehampton Simmons Bowling Club and Victim Support Devon. The bowling club are seeking funds towards a specialist wheelchair which allows disabled people to play the game. Cllr Kay Bickley told the council as a magistrate, she was well aware of the benefits of the Victim Support scheme. She said: ?There is very little funding from central Government for this organisation. They support witnesses who have to go to court. It can be a very difficult experience for some people to have to go and give evidence and I think this is a worthy cause.? Cllr Bickley pointed out that the money would be spent to train two volunteers who would be working with victims of crime in the Okehampton area. A further £400 was granted to Okehampton Men?s Hockey Club.
