26 January 2021

A group of childcare students at Fife College have gone above and beyond to help two local charities.

Usually tasked with organising a fundraiser event for a local charity as part of their enterprise module, this year’s Level 5 Childcare students were asked, due to the current coronavirus restrictions, if they could simply raise awareness for their chosen charities.

However, the students rose beyond that challenge and went on to raise funds for the Dunfermline Foodbank and Fife Gingerbread.

All achieved socially distanced or from home, funds were raised by the class in a number of ways. One group, led by Jennifer Birrell, collected over 300kg of food, toiletries, toys and other non-food essentials for the Dunfermline Foodbank.

The group set up collection points at a number of locations and promoted the foodbank widely with one member of the group, Nicola Collins, even running 5k every day in December to help raise awareness.

Another group of students, led by Andrew Anderson, organised an online raffle for friends and family which raised over £100 for Fife Gingerbread.

Nicola, from Dunfermline, said:

“I’ve been totally inspired by my classmates. We all come from different backgrounds and age groups, and have only met online in our class, but we have been able to work together to get the Dunfermline Foodbank the great recognition it deserves. I’m so proud of what we achieved so far.”

Childcare lecturer, Anne Marie O'Donnell, said:

“I could not be prouder of the efforts of our amazing students. Given the current restrictions we had asked them if they could simply raise some awareness for a local charity for their enterprise module this year.

“It was fantastic to see them go above and beyond this and not just raise awareness but to still raise funds for these vital local charities. At this time of year, and during these unusual circumstances we all find ourselves in, they have shown what an enterprising bunch they are.”

To find out more about Childcare courses on offer at Fife College visit our course pages.  

Photograph: Childcare student Nicola Collins, from Dunfermline, is pictured.