Armed forces charity ‘exceptionally honoured’ by student fundraising

Students and staff from a leading local college have raised more than £800 for an armed forces charity ahead of the week to celebrate the nation’s service personnel.   

In the run up to armed forces week, which took place from June 21 – 25, those studying at Cornwall College Camborne’s specialist Military Academy set about to collectively complete three marathons.  

The students, mostly studying courses in military and protective services, exceeded their target and by running more than 88 miles, whilst raising a total of £822 from colleagues, friends and family for the Armed Forces Benevolent Fund.  

Charlotte Corfield, assistant principal of The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), said it was an “honour” to present the cheque to the charity last week. 

She added: “At TCCG, we are proud of our close ties with the armed forces.  

“Not only do we have former service personnel on our staff, but our specialist military academy has seen students go on to achieve great things within the nation’s services, including high ranks within the Army.  

“Therefore, I was delighted to present this cheque to a charity that does such vital work in supporting service personnel – and I am very proud of our students for their hard work in raising these funds.”  

The charity, which is often known as ‘The Soldier’s Charity’, is one of the largest funders in their sector, supporting more than 60,000 people across 63 countries last year alone.   

They award grants to individuals and families and provide essential funding to leading charities and organisations that support the Army family.  

Sam Mellor, who is working towards an extended diploma in protective services at the college, commented: “I liked the charity event because it helped us all become closer as a team as everyone was included.   

“I think we all did amazing with everyone working with 100 per cent effort and I’m glad we did it as the money will help families who really need it.”  

Over the course of 4 hours and 15 minutes the team of students took turns on treadmills in the college’s dedicated gym to complete the challenge.  

A cheque was then presented to the charity at the annual awards ceremony for the sport and military course students.  

Accepting the donation on behalf of the Armed Forces Benevolent Fund was Lieutenant Colonel Peter Bates OBE.  

He said: “The Soldiers’ Charity Fundraising Army is growing from strength-to-strength with more fundraisers than ever taking up the challenge.   

“The vital funds raised are used to support soldiers, veterans, and their immediate families.  

“We are extremely grateful for the money that Cornwall College has raised through the military and protective services department. It is rare that we get younger volunteers taking part, and so we are exceptionally honoured by the college’s involvement.”  

Student Riley Hodson, also on the college’s protective services diploma, added: “The charity event brought everyone together, even people from different departments came and cheered everyone on.   

“It was nice to be encouraged as a team to conquer our goals, even the people that didn’t run still pushed everyone and did the best they could to make sure everything went smoothly. Everyone was pleased that we raised that money for people who are in need.”  

The Cornwall College Group (TCCG) has a long history of supporting the nation’s armed forces but recently took their commitment a step further by formally joining the Armed Forces Covenant.   

The group, which includes the leading land-based facilities at Duchy College and Bicton College, even has serving and retired service personnel across their teaching teams in these campuses.