LONG GONE are those summer holiday lie-ins, and in their place are early morning lectures as the new Autumn term gets underway at Exeter College.
Rising bright and breezy at the crack of dawn on Friday in the name of a good cause, a group of Arts Management students will be serving up coffees and teas on campus at Exeter College’s Hele Road and CCI campuses from 8.30am onwards to perk up their sleepy-eyed peers and tutors.
The volunteers will be among thousands across the UK taking part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning – an event held annually to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
While admission to the event is free, donations are invited, and it is hoped that this year even more money will be raised than last year’s impressive £400 Exeter College total.
To boost this year’s sum, entertainment ranging from live music to a spot of therapeutic sponge-throwing has been promised too.
As their first project of the new term, the organisers – around 30 students, aged 16 to 18 and studying for their BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Production Arts (Arts Management) – had only eight days in which to prepare.
Their programme manager, Viv Finer, says: “Last year, I was really impressed by the huge amount of enthusiasm shown by the students, and by their innovative approach to organising such an event in only a short amount of time.
“Such an exercise urges them to think on their feet and work as a team, helping prepare them for a future in arts and events management. I’m sure that this year’s students will do equally well, if not even better with their fundraising efforts.
“Most importantly, however, this is a real opportunity for the students to do something for a charity which helps people and their families through some very rough times.
“With live music, plenty of games, and a wide range of food and drink on offer on the day, there will certainly be a buzz about the place and that won’t just be from caffeine.”