Students Take on Forces Fundraiser

31st October 2008 9:32am - Return to press releases

Students from East Riding College are appealing for sponsors as they prepare to run 1,214 miles between them to raise money for a British forces charity on 6 November.

They will take on the tough challenge at Bridlington Sports Hall from 9am to noon in support of Help for Heroes, which provides practical help for servicemen and women who are injured in conflict.

They have chosen to cover 1,214 miles as that is the distance from Kabul in Afghanistan to Basra in Iraq, where many British forces personnel are currently serving.

The group of 30 students are on the BTEC First Diploma, BTEC National Certificate and the BTEC National Diploma in Public Services.

The courses teach them about and prepare them for a career in the armed and uniformed services.

On the evening of 6 November, Hospitality and Catering students will give a cookery demonstration in the College?s Archers restaurant before dishing up a three-course meal, accompanied by live music. Tickets for this event have already sold out.

The money raised by both events will provide practical help in the form of personal care packs for the injured who are flown immediately back to the forces hospital in Birmingham and have no personal belongings.

Help for Heroes has also been chosen by the ITV show X Factor as the beneficiary of the charity single Hero, sung by the X Factor?s 12 finalists.

Susan Marshall, event organiser and curriculum leader for additional learning support in the College?s Key and Basic Skills department, said: ?A big part of our Public Services courses is about increasing the students? understanding of life in the armed and uniformed services.

?We are hoping these two fundraising events will help us forge links with the Yorkshire Regiment, which is about to fly out for an eight-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.

?At the same time, we are raising money and awareness of Help for Heroes, which is a completely non-political charity which aims to help our servicemen and women.?

To sponsor the students, call Susan Marshall on 01262 458870 or email [email protected]