THE North Devon farming community is being given a ewe-nique opportunity to support the work of the North Devon Hospice, who run The Long House in Holsworthy.

The charity has set up a new scheme called ‘Keep a Sheep’. The idea is that farmers will allocate one sheep that is in lamb from their flock and dedicate it to the North Devon Hospice.

They can then bring the ewe and lambs to a special auction at Kivells Livestock Market in Holsworthy, where proceeds from the sale will be donated to the hospice.

James Morrish, from Kivells, said this is ‘a fabulous idea’ and the he was proud to give his full backing. He added: “I’ve done a lot with North Devon Hospice down the years, so I know how important their care is to local people. It has a huge impact and most of it goes on in people’s own homes without anybody realising.

“But they are always there and always caring, that’s why we need to do everything we can to support them. ‘Keep a Sheep’ is a great way for the farming community to show their support and I hope lots of people get involved.”

James said it was fitting to hold the auction at Kivells in Holsworthy, just a stone’s throw from the hospice’s new outreach centre, The Long House.

He said: “Being so close to The Long House, we know what a difference it has made to people in the Holsworthy area in the last year. They’ve been able to access more care from the hospice, which is a marvelous thing. But the hospice always needs our support to keep going, so I’m calling on farmers right across the area to get involved and dedicate the sale of an ewe and lambs to North Devon Hospice.”

The final auction will take place on Saturday, March 4, and Claire Sherwood, from North Devon Hospice’s fundraising team, said ‘every pound raised will make a difference’, adding: “We hope that ‘Keep a Sheep’ will be an easy way for farmers in the area to show their support for the hospice. We care for local people who are affected by cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, but this is only possible thanks to the generosity of the community we serve, so the more people who dedicate a sheep to the hospice, the more we will raise.

“The Long House, which is very close to the agri-business centre where the auction is held, is a great example of the difference people can make. Funds were raised by the community to build that facility, and now it is helping 30 to 40 local people per week.

“Please get in touch if you would like to ‘Keep a Sheep’ for the hospice. We would be thrilled to hear from you.”

To register a sheep with James Morrish whilst it is in lamb, call 07814010133 or email [email protected]

Alternatively, call Claire Sherwood at the hospice on 01271 347204 or email [email protected]