College students rise to acharity's big challenge

Portsmouth College students rose to an impressive challenge by teaming up with the LightHouse charity. Students raised Â£700 in a 'Back To Basics' day, which was held at the college.

CAPTION: Portsmouth College students rose to the challenge brilliantly, raising Â£700 for charity. — Portsmouth College students rose to an impressive challenge by teaming up with the LightHouse charity. Students raised Â£700 in a 'Back To Basics' day, which was held at the college. CAPTION: Portsmouth College students rose to the challenge brilliantly, raising Â£700 for charity.

The college joined forces with non-profit organisation The LifeHouse which aims to create an environment of compassion and care targeting the immediate needs and issues surrounding the homelessness and addiction for those in need in Portsmouth and Southsea.

Based in Albert Road, Southsea, the volunteers offer food parcels, a drop-in session on Wednesday mornings and a double portion soup kitchen every Thursday.

Compassion and care is exactly what the students studying in the Health and Care Department at the college demonstrated in raising more than £700

This was done with a ‘Back To Basics’ day where students parted with all luxuries and only had a sleeping bag, bin liner and cardboard box for company.

The sessions lasted for three hours – with one session in the morning and one in the afternoon, staged on the college field.

Teachers also joined in as they wanted to be united in raising money to make a real difference.

Kerry Jagger, the learning and progress manager for Health and Social Care, said: ‘I am very proud of all the Health and Social Care students who took part in the Back To Basics day. Everyone got into the spirit of the day and for the time they were out there, they had a clear understanding of how a homeless person would feel.

‘We had a great day and it was well supported by the staff and students in college. We hope this will help a little with the huge problem across the city.'

Student Amelia Whittingham added: ‘The Back To Basics day gave us a real insight into the daily struggles that homeless people face on the streets of Portsmouth. It was an eye-opening experience.’

Fellow student Kim Vigor said: ‘It was bitterly cold, but worth it to help out other people.’

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