THREE charities have benefitted from a charity bingo night organised by two friends in Ideford.

Vicki Gardner and Kala Jones hosted the event held at the village hall which raised £1,053.

Of the total, one third, £351, was given to Medicins sans Frontiers, the international charity that work in war, natural disaster and other challenging zones where people most need medical help.

NASS, the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society, chosen by Vicki, because many members of her family suffer from this painful, debilitating and little understood disease also received £351 and the same amount was donated to THAT, Teignbridge Homeless Action Today, food bank, where Kala volunteers.

Kala spent the money on buying household essentials that she knew would go directly to people most in need in Teignbridge.

Vicki said: ‘What stood out from this bingo night, compared to others I have run, is that all the prizes were donated by local artists and crafters.

‘I would like to thank everyone for their amazing and very generous donations to the evening.’

Prizes included original paintings, original appliqué work, hand crocheted items, jewellery, photographic prints, sculptures, fused glass pieces, flower arrangements and wooden creations.

Vicki said: ‘Without doubt this amazing sum was raised due to the generosity of the donating artists and crafters.

‘People were willing to spend quite a lot of money on the raffle and slightly more expensive ticket costs because the prizes were so fantastic, and we had so many prizes, the chances of winning a prize were pretty high too.

‘I’d like to say a big thanks to everyone who helped on the night too.’