BAG4SPORT has been chosen by Devizes Chamber of Commerce as its charity of the year for 2013-14.

The charity, also being backed by the Gazette & Herald, will benefit from a casino night in Devizes in October.

Bag4Sport director Andy Trusler said: “It is great news that we have been adopted by the chamber of commerce as its charity of the year. It is an excellent opportunity for us to work with local businesses and to get across the importance of grass roots sport.

“We are already being supported by the Round Table so to add the backing of the chamber as well is fantastic.”

Bag4Sport is to give £500 to the Camp Xtra activities that will be run at Devizes School through the summer holidays from August 12-16.

Several new sporting activities for 8-15 year olds have been added this year including combined racket sports, extreme golf and kayaking.

Trusler added: “We supported Camp Xtra last year and we are very happy to give a grant again as the event really encourages youngsters to become involved in sport.”

The next fundraiser for the charity is the Bag4Sport Foundation Devizes to Paris cycle ride, for which places are still available, which will leave the Market Place on Saturday, August 17 and arrive in the centre of Paris on Sunday, August 19.

A number of other events are being planned for the autumn including a Cabaret Evening in The Ballroom at The Bear Hotel, on October 12. It will feature Elvis impressionist Garry Foley and magician Mark Peace.

Just over a week later Bag4Sport will be involved in the Devizes Half Marathon which this year is being held in support of the Foundation.

Teams include one from Charlton Baker accountants in Devizes which will feature two more Bag4Sport trustees Alex Grant and Scott Sartin.

Money raised from these events will help provide grants for grass root sports and the Gazette Stars of Tomorrow winners.

Gazette & Herald readers will have a chance to vote for their favourites for this contest in the coming weeks.

Shortlisted candidates from each of the three Gazette edition areas will be featured after judges, including sports editor Owen Houlihan, Devizes MP Claire Perry and Devizes Mayor Pete Smith, have helped whittle numbers down.

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