Catering students serve up a treat for Raystede

The Hospitality & Catering department from East Sussex College Eastbourne presented a cheque to Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare following a successful year of fundraising.

Fundraising dinners and afternoon teas have been held across the academic year, in aid of the Ringmer-based animal welfare charity and raised over £600.

Catering students elected Raystede as their charity of the year back in September. Last week (Wednesday 22nd May) catering students and staff invited Jeanette Campbell and Eleanor Stourton from the Raystede fundraising team into the college to enjoy a three-course meal and receive a cheque for £604.76.

Oliver Zecchin and Laura Da Silva Henriques, managers of Kings Restaurant & Bistro, presented the cheque to a delighted Jeanette Campbell. Oliver says, “It’s been a pleasure to support Raystede. The team are brilliant and we have had so much fun working with them and supporting them with events such as their Fundraiser Awards evening.”

Laura adds, “All of the students got behind the charity, delivering well-executed dinner services and afternoon teas. It’s allowed them to showcase their skills, which included a full vegan buffet earlier in the year.”

Jeanette Campbell, Fundraising Officer for Raystede, says: “The amount raised by ESC catering is fantastic and we are so grateful. To put things in perspective, the average daily cost for all of the small animals at Raystede is in excess of £300. Our small animals consist of rabbits, degus, hamsters, chinchillas, mice, rats, guinea pigs and gerbils. It costs £50 for the dentist to visit one of our equines and £45 for the farrier to shoe them; £200 will help pay for new units to rehabilitate animals in the wildlife hospital; £10 will provide seeds and hay for the birds and animals living in our sanctuary, while £150 would provide life-saving surgery for a cat.”

ESC Eastbourne catering students chose to support Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare for the academic year 2018/19.