OKEHAMPTON showed its giving spirit over the weekend as hundreds of people raised money for Sport Relief.

This year's Sport Relief campaign raised over £51- million to support charities and vulnerable people both in the UK and in poverty stricken regions of Africa.

Over 350 people of all ages jogged, walked and ran in the Okehampton Sport Relief Mile on Sunday, helping to raise money for the charitable sporting bonanza.

The event, the main Sport Relief event for West Devon, has raised over £30,000 since its inception, and this year's well supported event should have helped to boost that total. As well as running the mile, Simmons Park and the OCRA Pavilion were buzzing with sporting and arts activities. Arts Wave Devon provided free art workshops, the Chaos Training Centre and Lynne Rogers provided runners with a great warm up, and Rob Pudner of Entertainingly Different helped to MC the event.

Stuart Lord from OCRA, who organised the event, said: 'It was an amazing day. Watching the community come together to support such a great cause was brilliant.

'It was great to see people and families having a good time, being active, setting themselves challenges and cheering each other on.

'Thanks to everyone that helped OCRA set up such a fantastic event: Okehampton Hockey Club, Okehampton Running Club, Okehampton Round Table, Dartmoor Rescue, Pam Sizmur, Kim Wilde, Charlie Ash and Faye Dennis.

'We all feel so proud knowing that the money raised here today will help people living really tough lives right here in Devon, the UK and across the world.'

Parklands Leisure Centre played its part over the weekend, holding a Sport Relief Swimathon where brave fundraisers could paddle 1,5 kilometres, 2.5 kilometres or five kilometres.

Last Friday, Okehampton Primary School embraced the sporting spirit, as children and staff joined forces to run 1,000 miles and raise as much money as possible for the charity. Pupils took part in a one mile walk, while teachers and school staff climbed on exercise machines in the school library to go the extra mile and help reach the 1,000 mile target.

For more pictures see pages 40 ands 41.

To donate to Sport Relief visit http://www.sportrelief.com">www.sportrelief.com

To find out more about sporting opportunities in the area contact OCRA on 01837 54546 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]