NEWS ARCHIVE
Marine School Raise £700 for Sport Relief
Students and staff at Falmouth Marine School got involved in various activities last week and raised over £700 for Sport Relief.
The week-long events began with students on the Marine Sport Science and Marine Leisure Management Foundation Degrees, approved by the University of Plymouth, organising a fancy dress sailing regatta and raising £200.
On Friday 12th March the students competed in the one mile race in Falmouth Harbour, in two-person Mango's dressed as Pirates and Wenches. The 12 students took it in turns to race and collect money from passersby. Due to high winds the regatta was abandoned after only one race, with the students instead taking to the streets of Falmouth with buckets to collect money. The regatta was completed the following week on Friday 19th March with the students collecting over £140 from donations and a further £60 from sponsorship.
John Swannick, on the first year of the Marine Sports Science Foundation Degree, said: "We managed to raise much more money than we expected. The first day we tried to run it, it was very windy so after the first race we had to postpone until the next week. It was great fun however and some good racing was had. We were very impressed by the generosity of the local people passing by, thank you!"
Steve Bowens, Course Area Manager for Ocean Science at Falmouth Marine School said: "The guys looked great in all their get up, they managed to get some good fun racing in while raising money for a very worthy cause."
This was followed on Friday 19th March by an indoor sporting challenge. Students on the first year of the Watersports National Diploma, assisted by tutor Dan Newsome, organised a rowing competition in the Sails Café. Using one the College's own rowing machines, staff and students were challenged to see who could row the fastest 200 meters. There were male and female categories with all participants asked to make a donation before trying their best for the variety of prizes on offer.
The students were inspired to put on the event after seeing the Eddie Izzard Marathon Man challenge. The activity is also a part of the Fitness & Training Module of their course. Students wrote a letter describing what they were doing and why and took it to business in Falmouth asking for donations for prizes. The winners Charlie Murphy, Watersports National Diploma student and Nikki Kendall, Senior Tutor, received a hamper with free shakes vouchers from Great Shakes, wetsuit booties from Sessions, a £10 voucher from 61 clothes shop and a picture from Mando Tosho.
Matt Nimo, one of the students who organised the event, said: "It was really good, over 30 people got involved and we raised lots of money. It was good to do something for Sport Relief."
The event raised over £130. The rowing donations were topped up with money collected in Falmouth by Watersports National Diploma students Lucy Doherty and Abigail Arnold. Dan Newsome commented: "It was good to see the students so motivated to do something for such a good cause."
The hugely successful week of activities was brought to a conclusion on Sunday 21st March at the Sport Relief sponsored run at Swanpool in Falmouth. On a lovely bright and warm Sunday morning, four members of Falmouth Marine School staff; Ruth Bennetts, Exam Officer, Tim Hedges, Tutor, Nikki Kendall, Senior Tutor and Liam Marsh, Learning Support Assistant; turned up to take part in the six-mile run around Swanpool lake. Liam was the first to finish in around 35minutes, followed shortly by Tim and then Nikki and Ruth who both finished under 45minutes. The team had been raising money for a couple of months with their total reaching £385.
Ruth Bennetts commented: "It was hard work but it was really good to take part as a team and great that we raised so much money. Thanks to everyone who donated and supported us."
Tom Shaw, Head of College, said: "It's fantastic to see the College coming together to raise money for such a good cause. I am proud of all the students for using their initiative to come up with such great and fun activities. Thanks to everyone who organised the events and all those who took part."
Dave Linnell OBE, Principal of Cornwall College commented: "This is a great effort by Falmouth Marine School students and staff. Well done to them all for raising so much money."
