Posted: Tuesday 29 June 2010

Two worthy causes, one great college

Big hearted students at Kilmarnock College recently raised over £1,500 for two worthy causes by combining their coursework with fundraising activities.

The Intermediate 1 Steps to Care Class and the Intermediate 2 Health and Social Care students decided to raise money for their charity of choice while meeting their course requirements. The students have all just completed their year long course to gain their qualifications in Health and Social Care and recently visited their respective charities to present the cheques.

Students on the Steps to Care class raised £1,000 for The Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Yorkhill) by arranging a pyjama walk and a sensory impairment walk. The keen walkers wore ear muffs and protector eye glasses to understand how difficult it is for sensory impairment sufferers. The group also organised a visit to Yorkhill Hospital where the kind-hearted students presented the cheque to thankful staff who are keen to use the money for extra services and equipment for sick children and babies.

The students on the Intermediate 2 Health and Social Care course selected East Ayrshire Young Carers as their charity and raised £545.39 which will help the charity provide support and respite to young carers in the area. The students walked 10 miles of the West Highland Way as part of the personal development unit in their Intermediate 2 course and decided to use the opportunity to gather sponsorship money.

Lauren Elliot, (17) from Saltcoats, said: "East Ayrshire Young Carers is a fantastic charity and isn't that well known outside the area, so we hope our donation can help them with the work they do for families in the community.

"Coming to college for the Intermediate 2 Health and Social Care course and taking part in activities like this has really helped build confidence and has given me the knowledge and skills for moving onto NC Social Care. Ultimately I would like to work as a Social Worker and this course is a great way of learning about the industry.

Minnie Ker, Curriculum Manager for Health and Social Care, said: "I am delighted at the effort the students have put in this year both in the Intermediate 1 and the Intermediate 2 classes. They have been really committed to fundraising for their charities and they have managed to raise a lot of money. Students arranged all of the fundraising activities as a group and the projects help their social and personal development. I wish them all the best in their progression next year."

The Intermediate 1 Steps to Care class covers care of children, sociology, psychology and health and technology, while also teaching core skills such as communication, IT and numeracy. The Intermediate 2 splits into the two individual areas Health Care and Social Care for the 2010-11 Curriculum to allow students to focus on their preferred career path.

For further information on the Health and Social Care courses available at Kilmarnock College please call Minnie Ker on 01563 523501 or visit the courses section.

Notes to Editors

East Ayrshire Young Carers is set up to provide help, support and information to those caring for friends, relatives or neighbours. Young carers are ordinary children or teenagers from Ayrshire who help look after someone although may not see themselves as carers.

-END-

For more information, contact:
Ross Henderson, Halogen Communications, (T) 0131 202 0120 (F) 0131 225 3757 (E)
ross@halogencom.com.

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