Health and Social Care students raised money with a charity car wash, as well as donating over 392 items to King’s Lynn Foodbank to help those in need.

The students had been studying a unit; ‘Coping with Change’, learning about how individuals cope with major life events and the support offered within Health and Social Care and the wider community and came up with the idea.

College health and social care lecturer, Hannah Mann, said:

“The students had studied the ways in which Foodbanks help to support needs in the community and decided they wanted to help, as they felt that no one should go hungry or without the essentials, especially around Christmas time.”

Student, Alice Peacher, said:

“It was a really eye-opening opportunity, I can’t image going without simple things like toilet roll or sanitary products, so it was interesting in learning about the Foodbank. I feel I learnt a lot, I didn’t realise how much the Foodbank provided. I would find it difficult to budget: balancing rent and bills.”

Food donations were collected from staff and students across the campus throughout the week. Other activities included a car wash at CWA’s King’s Lynn campus, washing cars and vans throughout the day. Students also organised a day of fundraising activities doe in The Hub including; guess how many sweets in the jar, a mobile tuck shop and a raffle, raising over £140.

Students and staff then visited the town centre to purchase items like toiletries, socks, selection boxes, sanitary items to donate to the Foodbank. They visited the Foodbank to meet the people who run it and drop off all their donations in time for Christmas.

Hannah said:

“I am proud of how the students have worked together for such a great cause. They have been very euthanistic to help those in need and get stuck into organising and carrying out the fundraising activities.”

Health and social care lecturer, Teresa Johnson, said:

“The students are on a course that teaches all about ‘care’ and we encourage the students to demonstrate those caring qualities at all times so the night shelter that takes in homeless people and offer them a bed and some comfort for the night was a good choice for us.”