THE last event in the Vranch House Charity Challenge took place last Sunday at Tavistock Fishery — the prestigious fundraisers' final for the top 24 anglers who have raised the most.

These 24 have raised a massive £8,800 of the total of £12,770. This total was £3,000 more than 1999 and a new record.

Individual best bag: Mike Phillips of Torquay, 5 fish for 22lb 13oz 10dr; 2nd, Dave Richardson of Launceston, 5 fish for 14lb 15oz 0dr; 3rd, Mary Ratcliffe of Kenton, Exeter, 5 fish for 13lb 14oz 4dr; 4th, John Hern of Exeter, 5 fish for 13lb 4oz 4dr.

Teams: best bag: Mike Phillips of Torquay and Ted Kimpton of Exminster, 9 fish for 31lb 1oz 12dr; 2nd Keith and Mary Ratcliffe of Kenton, Exeter, 10 fish for 25lb 8oz 6dr; 3rd, Dave Richardson of Launceston and Mike Rowe of Drewsteignton, 10 fish for 20lb 5z 0dr; 4th Mike Conner of Exeter and Neil Bellamy of Tavistock, 7 fish for 17lb 13oz 8dr.

Best fish: Dave Richardson of Launceston, 14lb 15oz 0dr.

Top fundraiser: for second year running, Geoff Crocker of Menheniot, £1,825 (£849 in '99); 2nd, Mike Rowe of Drewsteignton, £1,380. Best newcomer and top in Devon.

Couple, most raised since 1992, Keith and Mary Ratcliffe, £3,534.10.

Pete Clarke Trophy for biggest brown trout: Mary Ratcliffe at Watercress, 7lb 6oz 6dr.

Sue Gould of Vranch House, who organises the Challenge, said: 'The total raised by these anglers is magnificent.

'The funds are needed to buy vital equipment like walking and communication aids and we need a range of these to suit individual children's abilities and ages.

'On behalf of the children who benefit I would like to say a heartfelt "Thank you" to the anglers, fisheries and sponsors.'

The amount raised by Tavistock Fishery is £4,621.88 — £1,500 more than '99 and a cumulative £23,300 since 1992.