For six years Jim and Val Cowen have helped to raise funds for the Merlin Project, a Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Cornwall. The couple, from Camelford, recently presented a cheque for £1,150 to Dr Derek Murphy, the chairman of the trust, and this brings the total the couple have raised for the project to over £25,000. This co-incides with the ­completion of the first phase of the therapy centre, which opens on April 14 at Hewas Water. The money has been raised by Jim and Val through the sale of preserves and other fundraising activities. They extended special thanks to Camelford Town Council for letting them use the entrance to Enfield Park for their charity stall, and also to everyone who has supported and helped them over the last six years. Mr Murphy said: "The generosity of the people of Cornwall is legendary but Valerie and Jim Cowen have taken it to the extreme during the past six years by raising over £25,000 for The Merlin Project by the continuous sale of a wide range of home made preserves at their home in Camelford. Merlin is the registered Cornish charity which has built Cornwall's Resource and Therapy Centre at Hewas Water for the exceptionally high ­number of people living with MS in the county. The centre will open immediately after Easter. Only Phase 1 of the project is complete, but the centre already offers a range of treatment and services in a pleasant building with a warm welcome, while fund raising to complete the planned construction ­continues. Val and Jim have made an immense contribution of hard work and money to this desperately needed service, and their efforts have recently been honoured by an invitation to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in July. Everyone working for Merlin will hope that they have a very sunny, happy day!"