BIG-HEARTED students and staff from Reaseheath College have raised a record-breaking £33,000 this year for local charities.

Representatives from the British Heart Foundation, the Student Association’s chosen charity of the year, received a cheque for £26,361 at the student summer ball which was held on the college’s Nantwich campus. The final total was £5,000 more than the original target.

Students and staff have also raised an additional £7,000 for other charities including the Poppy Appeal, the Epilepsy Society, World Aids and Sport Relief.

Student Association (SA) members voted to fundraise for the British Heart Foundation because many had relatives who had been affected by heart problems. They are also aware that heart problems can affect apparently young, fit people.

SA members organised more than 100 fundraising events, including a fashion show, foam party and activities at Reaseheath’s Family Festival and lambing weekends. Their mascot, Daisy the cow, also met the public at the region’s agricultural shows RAG (Raising and Giving) week activities included a themed RAG ball, a tractor pull, a cake sale, sponsored walks and a 24-hour static cycle ride.

Individual staff completed fundraising challenges, and construction staff and students completed a Snowdon climb carrying 19 kilo hod of bricks.

In addition, more than 350 students have been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation with kits donated by the BHF as part of its ‘Nation of Lifesavers’ campaign.

Student Association president Tom Allen, a BSc Wildlife conservation and ecology undergraduate, said: “I’m very proud of the SA team, who worked really hard to put together a programme of activities which everyone could enjoy.

“We also had unbelievable support from all staff and students and from the British Heart Foundation itself.”

Michelle Bailey, area fundraising manager for the north west said: “The British Heart Foundation is hugely grateful to the students and staff of Reaseheath College for raising such a phenomenal sum.

“I have never met a more inspirational group of young people. They have put so much focus and passion into their fundraising. This will make a huge difference to people across the north west who are supported by our charity.”