Students and staff taking part in Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC)’s annual Raise and Give (RAG) events have collected over £3,100 for three local charities, with donations still coming in.

Students and staff from every curriculum area got involved, often organising their own activities as well as taking part in college-wide events.

A Level students hosted events including a Just Dance-athon and board games tournament.  Health & Social care students had a cake sale and PJ day, while Early Years learners sold cakes, cards and decorations. Performing Arts and Dance held a disco, treasure hunt and lip sync battle, and Art offered a doodle competition.  Uniformed Protective Services and Agriculture students also got involved, washing cars for donations.  The Land-based department ran a fancy dress competition, nail art event, and goat yoga session.  Culinary students sold hot sandwiches and soup on the last day of term.  Raffles were held by the Reception teams at Bridgwater, Taunton and Cannington campuses, and each site collected much-needed donations for local food banks.  Other popular cross-college events included a craft fair, where Foundation Learning students also had a stall, a pet therapy café, Santa Selfies and a clothing bank.

This year, RAGVENT raised more than £3100 for three local charities; Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association, Mind in Somerset and Combat Stress, as well as collecting items for food banks.  The nominated charities were voted for by the students.

Molly Arden, Lifestyle Team Leader, said

RAG is a major annual event in the College calendar and raises money to support local charities. Both staff and students look forward to getting involved each year.  It is very rewarding to know BTC has raised in excess of £3100 which will benefit the wider local community. Like staff, every student is encouraged to participate in RAG, which helps them flourish both academically and personally and I am proud to have supported their development.

For more information about fundraising and other community activities undertaken by BTC students, please visit www.btc.ac.uk or come along to one of our January open events to meet our Lifestyle team.