THIRTEEN teams took part in a netball tournament at Crediton, raising almost £800 for two cancer charities.

It was organised by Keeley Wells, treasurer of Crediton and District Netball League, and player Clare Aldrich, who will be running in the Virgin London Marathon on April 25 to raise money for CLIC Sargent.

The trophy in this one-off mixed tournament went to Stingers, a team from Exeter and Crediton. The trophy was donated by Kirk Radio.

Clare, a teacher at North Tawton Primary School, is married with two children. She joined the netball league when they moved to Winkleigh two and a half years ago. She has been running for six years and has "done a couple of half marathons," London being her first full marathon. Last year Clare won the Race for Life at Barnstaple.

"Two little boys from this area died from cancer last year. One was the son of one of the people I run with and this made me want to run for CLIC in his memory," said Clare.

She will be with Simon Emery whose son, Matthew, died last year aged four years, Debra Crome and Rowan Western who all live at Broadwoodkelly.

Clare, Debra and Simon usually train together for the Marathon and in London they will be running with a toy monkey each for Matthew.

Simon, is married and has two children who were both at the tournament to support him. He began running to raise money for CLIC, when Matthew became ill. He has raised more than £5,000.

Debra is married with two children, and she and Clare met through running. She is raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

Rowan, who is married and has three children, is a nurse with a Torrington doctor's surgery, and is running for CLIC Sargent. They are also running in memory of Sebby, who lived in Winkleigh and died last year from cancer aged six years.

Clare said the netball tournament had been "a fantastic day". It did not rain, it was chilly but not bone numbingly cold.

The day raised £550 for CLIC with the remainder going to Cancer Research UK who ran the refreshments. All the teams had been invited to take along cakes for the stand.

A raffle was organised by Gillian McKenzie. Clare said the prizes were "phenomenal" and thanked the shops and businesses who donated.

She set herself a £3,000 target, which she has almost reached with fundraising events including a 100 Club, a quiz which raised £700, an auction of promises.

Donations may be made through the http://www.justgiving.com/Clare">www.justgiving.com/Clare Aldrich website.