OKEHAMPTON United Charity and its associate charity, the Okehampton Educational Foundation, agreed grants of more than £296,000 last year — to the benefit of residents and organisations in the town and its hamlets.

The charity and foundation have been benefactors to grateful individuals and organisations since 1873, and are financed by sums of money and land left for the benefit of the town and charitable work.

Monies from land sold about five years ago at Broad Park, Okehampton has also been invested to boost the funds available.

Karen Percival, the clerk to OUC and OEF, told the Times: 'The trustees can consider any type of activity from organisations or individuals which is working towards a charitable purpose in Okehampton and the hamlets.

'Hopefully the town will benefit from the charities for many years in the future.'

Beneficiaries of Okehampton United Charity have been Fairplace Church, St James Church, All Saints Church, Okehampton WI, Okehampton Lions' Club and Okehampton Town Council.

Grants have also been awarded to Okehampton Bowling Club, OCRA, Okehampton Otters, the Puzzle Tree Centre, Headway Devon Get Changed Theatre and a dormouse survey.

Okehampton United Charity has assisted with projects from FLAG, Okehampton Rivers Improvement Group, Friends of Okehampton Library, the Church of Nations and the Guinness Trust.

The charity has also contributed to the town's Battle of the Bands, the Two Moors Festival, Wren, Okehampton Excelsior Band and a rock walk at Meldon Quarry.

Educational grants have been made to individuals, Connect Mid Devon, Tor Support Services, Life Skills, Okehampton Twinning Association, Okehampton Youth Chorus, Rainbow pre-School, Okehampton Air Cadets, Rainbow Brownies, 1st Okehampton Scouts and a Young Carers Weekend.

Okehampton College received an automatic allocation and Okehampton Primary School received a grant for curriculum enrichment activities. The Educational Charity also supports Room 13.

The recently published accounts for Okehampton United Charity shows grants of £114,156 to local organisations in 2009. Okehampton Educational Fund made further awards of £182,424 to local organisations and individuals.

Okehampton Town Council was granted £15,000 by OUC towards play equipment for Simmons Park, including climbing rocks for children to enjoy.

Town clerk Don Bent, said: 'We were very grateful to the Okehampton United Charity to help us add a further dimension to children's play equipment in the park.

'They have also helped us in many previous projects over the years with monies towards play equipment.

'The town council enjoy a healthy relationship with the charity, which does so much good work for the town and surrounding area.'

The accounts may be found on http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk">www.charity-commission.gov.uk under charity names or numbers 202686 and 306677.

The charities exist solely for the benefit of the residents of Okehampton and hamlet — for further information on how to apply for a grant please contact Karen Percival on 01837 55179 or email [email protected]">[email protected]