Cambridge Regional College Student enterprise boosts funds for children’s hospices

A charity woodworking initiative set up by students and staff at Cambridge Regional College has donated £850 to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.

The business, which came third in a national competition for student enterprises, raised the money through making and selling planters, iPad holders and house signs. The funds were boosted by commissions which ranged from a memorial bench to a dog basket.

Joinery lecturer Mark Piller, who set up the charity company with his students, said the Charity Woodworking Company had been a very successful initiative.

“We had lots of enthusiastic students involved in the project and we’re delighted to be able to donate the profits to a really worthwhile cause,” he said. “We had great support from AC Timber of Ely, which supplied us with the wood.

“We’ve also been able to help other charities by donating our skills – including crafting traditional kitchen storage for Anglesey Abbey.”

Polly West, community fundraiser at EACH, who received the cheque, said: “The Charity Woodworking Company is a great initiative and this donation will help support the vital services we provide.

“We need to raise £16,000 a day every day, and we couldn’t do it without fantastic support like this.”

To find out more about EACH, go to www.each.org.uk.