OKEHAMPTON United Charity got into the festive spirit of giving early this year as they gave £36,500 of grants for the month of November.

The charity trustees met on November 25 to consider a number of grant applications.

A £30,000 donation was made to Community Links SW to provide a family support project for people living in Okehampton and the hamlets. The Get Changed Theatre Company received £2,000 to support their work promoting equality for adults with learning disabilities and developing the life skills and confidence of its users.

Trustees donated £2,500 to the Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade, £1,000 to the Okehampton and District Local History Society and £428.44 to the ASC / ADHD support group.

Okehampton Educational Foundation held its meeting the same night. Trustees unanimously agreed to release £17,000 of Okehampton Primary School’s allocation to contribute to the installation of their new ‘solar dome’, a geodisic dome that will serve as a unique outdoor classroom. They also gave out six bursaries to local post 16 residents who were undertaking courses not available at Okehampton College, work-based apprenticeships and university courses.

Charity clerk Karen Percival said: ‘It’s been a good year. We have awarded grants in excess of £300,000 to benefit residents of Okehampton and the hamlets.’