A CHARITY set up three years ago to help the residents of Bere Alston is appealing to villagers to get involved in its latest push to apply for funding.

Bere Alston Regeneration Partnership, the charity set up to regenerate both the parish hall and provide access to vital services such as business advice, internet access, education opportunities, youth worker and a new space for the village playgroup, is stepping up its profile in the village to get people more involved in the project and help its applications for vital funds.

The project, totalling around £800,000, is bidding for funding from a variety of sources and already has planning permission for the build part of the project.

When the money becomes available, redevelopment of the rear of the parish hall could start within a matter of months.

Earlier this year, the parish voted to put money on the precept to contribute towards the scheme. Without it, most large scale funders would have removed the applications out of the selection process. But the group still needs to be seen to have the continued support of local people in order to impress funding panels.

There will be one event a month for the next year, the main aim being to get people together, with the secondary aim of small scale fundraising.

The first event is a quality toy sale and auction on November 22, from 10am to noon. Half-tables for £3 and tables for £6 may be booked and people can sell their good quality toys — not jumble or junk — in order to raise some money for themselves.

Large or expensive single items such as trampolines or garden play equipment will be auctioned at 11.30am without the need for them to be dismantled and brought to the hall.

Local businesses with a child interest are also welcome to book a table.

And a Mamma Mia! disco has been booked for December 20. An opportunity to sing along again to the hits of the biggest grossing UK film ever.

For further information about these events or if you are interested in helping the project further, please contact secretary Sara Pike on 841417.