REASEHEATH College has named North West Cancer Research as its charity of the year.

Students at the college voted for the charity after learning of its commitment to supporting cancer research in the north west.

The Student Association hopes to raise more than £15,000 for North West Cancer Research over the next 12 months by hosting fundraising events.

Already planned are several band nights, a staff versus students Tough Mudder challenge and a Halloween cellar tour.

The students will also support the charity in its awareness raising campaigns which run throughout the year.

All money raised by Reaseheath College will support potentially lifesaving research at universities in Liverpool, Lancaster and Bangor.

Research currently supported by North West Cancer Research includes a project looking at improving skin cancer drug treatments, as well as the use of proton beam therapies in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancers.

Student Association RAG (Raising and Giving) chairman Tom Allen said: “Cancer is a horrible disease which unfortunately touches so many people. We all know someone close to us who has sadly been diagnosed with cancer, or lost a loved one to it.

“As a student group we have always been keen to support local causes and charities which make a real impact to our everyday lives. Each year we select a new charity to support.

“When we learned of the work which North West Cancer Research does in the region to fund lifesaving research, we knew it was a charity we wanted to support.

“Knowing the money we raise will help researchers who are based locally to eliminate cancer, and that this research could potentially help people on our doorstep, was really important to us.

“We are all excited to start raising money for the charity and doing our bit to support cancer research.”

Bobby Magee, fundraising manager at North West Cancer Research, said: “We are proud to have been selected as Reaseheath College’s charity of the year.

"Support from community groups is crucial to our fundraising as it enables us to engage with the community and pledge more funding for research.”