AFTER a successful year of fundraising for the Carers' Trust, the Co-operative store in Okehampton has decided to support three local charities during 2014 —Okehampton and District Community Transport Group, Rainbow Pre-School and Devon Free Wheelers.

The transport group is a community-led scheme supported by Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council to provide transport for the local rural community and for people who find it physically difficult to use conventional public transport, the frail elderly, and those who are rurally isolated.

The group provides transport to hospital and medical appointments, and social visits. As well as the bus they offer a community car service and a ring and ride service, with specialised wheelchair-accessible vehicles. On Saturdays they offer day trips for their clients.

Rainbow Pre-School is a non-profit community pre-school run by a committee of volunteers with a team of qualified paid staff. It offers education and care for children aged two to five years, following the Early Years Foundation stage.

Devon Freewheelers is a group of advanced motorcyclists who offer their time, skills and expertise free of charge to provide an out of hours emergency response courier service to the NHS. The charity transports urgently needed blood, tissue, drugs and other medical needs by motorcycle to hospitals and patients across the county.

Providing a service outside the hours of the regular transport services, the charity creates massive financial savings for the NHS by delivering essential medical supplies.

The store's first fundraising events will be a Mother's Day raffle in store throughout March, and a family prize bingo night on Friday, March 21 in the Conservative Club at 7.30pm.

Other events planned include a family fun day, quiz nights, a book sale, curry night and more.