Students and staff arriving for lectures across the Exeter College sites on Friday morning were greeted with colourful cakes and creamy coffee as groups of Arts Management students served up their version of the Macmillan Charity’s Coffee Morning.

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 ten hours in which to prepare and finished the day in high spirits after they raised over £500 for the national charity.

The volunteers were 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. Their programme manager, Viv Finer, says: “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. They had to change the drinks offer for example, to cold drinks through the morning since it was such great weather. 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. I’m very proud of their fundraising efforts and thank all the staff and students who helped us raise the money for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

For further information, call Sylvia Jarman on 01392 205585 or sylviajarman@exe-coll.ac.uk