STAFF and students at New College will be donating £8,000 to a local cancer charity following a year of fundraising.

Three members of staff - Barbara Kimber, Beverley Watts and Jean Pope - have been heading up the fundraising efforts in their role as leaders of the New College Social Committee.

The Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Movement (Calm) is an independent charity that cares for local families affected by cancer or leukaemia in children.

Calm's Helen Wilstead said: "We're very grateful to the students and staff at New College for their hard work; the money that they've raised for us will be invaluable.

"We rely heavily on donations and fundraising efforts to continue the work that we do, so this donation will make a real difference."

Beverley said: "Our staff and students have done a fantastic job raising this money.

"The whole college have really pulled together with events like book sales, competitions, raffles and quiz nights; it's really been a team effort. Calm do some fantastic work and it's a charity that's very close to our hearts."