A COTTAGE in Eworthy near Germansweek was the venue for a special afternoon tea party on Saturday which raised £500 for Bloodwise, a UK specialist blood cancer charity.

Tea party host Mary Tomes said that although the sunshine was scarce the people were not, as around 60 people turned up to support.

Friends, family and members of the local community enjoyed chatting before indulging in delightful cream teas.

The event was organised by the Okehampton Fundraising Group, a small group of people, including members of Mary’s family who raise money for Bloodwise South West.

Mary and her family started the Okehampton Fundraising Group four years ago when Mary’s Grandson, Arran, who was four and a half at the time, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a rare blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system and affects blood cells.

The £500 raised at the tea party combined with the many other charitable endeavours of the Tomes family, including a community stall and table top sales, boosts their grand total of money raised in the past four years to an incredible £23,000.

Mary’s other grandson, Tyler Tomes from Bere Alston, has also been fundraising for the same charity and has completed several sponsored cycle rides from Tavistock to Plymouth.

Collections for Bloodwise will be held in Tavistock Morrisons in September and if you would like to find out more or get involved with the Okehampton Fundraising Group visit the website www.bloodwise.org.uk/group/okehampton-fundraising-group