A LASAGNA lunch at a farm in Yeoford, organised by three young people who will be trekking to the North Pole next spring, raised £870 for Mencap.

The lunch was at Warrens Farm, Yeoford, the home of Richard and Winnie Brimacombe whose daughter, Stephanie, is one of a trio taking part in the Polar Challenge 2010.

Stephanie was born at Yeoford, went to school there and at Crediton. Her team mates are Rupert Nicholson from Bath and Tom Williams from Portsmouth. All three are aged 26.

Tom and Stephanie read Geography at the West of England University, Bristol. Rupert met them when they were in Paris for the world cup rugby.

All three work in London. Rupert is a chartered surveyor, Tom is in IT sales and Stephanie is a PR account director.

Stephanie says: "We are all doing this challenge for similar reasons - to push our boundaries mentally and physically, to fundraise significant amounts of money for our chosen charity, Mencap, and set ourselves targets well beyond our normal 9-6 working days and - obviously - to win the race!

"All the money raised from our charity events goes straight to Mencap and we aim to raise £50,000 for them. We need to raise a certain amount to cover the costs of the trip and this will come solely from corporate sponsors.

"We have raised £8,000 so far for charity including a coffee morning and cream teas at Yeoford which raised more than £600 and we shall be having a clay pigeon shoot at Yeoford on August 8. Teams of four can enter, there will be a bar and barbecue, or people can just come along to watch. It is a lovely site."

Stephanie thanked everyone for their "incredible" support for the lunch which would not have been so successful without the help of A J Cox butcher and the many local shops who donated. Winnie Brimacombe donated the star prize of one night's stay with a three course meal and wine at Warrens Farm Bed and Breakfast (www,warrensfarm.co.uk).

Among the sponsors so far are Tissot watches, Berghaus Esporta who provide weekly training sessions for the trio with their own personal trainer.

com .