KIND-HEARTED students and staff from Exmouth Community College have contributed more than �5000 to a number of charities - in just one academic term.

Touched by the plight of young cancer sufferer Raymond O’Sullivan, from Withycombe, the school made a donation of �2000 last October to a Journal campaign in aid of the 12-year-old.

The appeal was launched to help pay for travel and associated costs for his family to accompany Raymond when he receives vital radiotherapy treatment - to be funded by the NHS - in either America or Holland.

Later in the team, a grand total of �1750 was raised by the whole college for the Help for Heroes charity.

Principal Tony Alexander presented a cheque to Major Bachelor and Sergeant Haslem on behalf of students at a year eight assembly.

As part of Children’s Book Week, the school helped to raise �316 by taking part in a sponsored readathon during English lessons.

The proceeds will go to a charity for children with severe and terminal illnesses.

Mr Alexander said: “This is a marvellous achievement by all involved and credit must go to the students who have helped raise this money.”

Two rugby players had their legs wax helping post 16 students gather more than �800 for Children in Need,

And, if all this wasn’t admirable enough, the whole college has embraced a project called The 200 Challenge.

This entails youngsters collecting 200 shoeboxes full of gifts to be sent to children in Eastern Europe as part of the charity Cr2ee.

A spokesperson for the college said: “Students have responded magnificently to the challenge and achieved the grand total of 209 boxes which will bring a little Christmas cheer to the poor of Maldova.”