On 29 November, students from Clyst Vale Community College visited Exmouth lifeboat station to hand over a cheque for £491.51 to volunteers following a successful annual fundraising event in memory of World War 1 hero, Harry Patch.

Students throughout the college held various fundraising events including bake sales and an Auction of Promises for which local companies donated prizes. Heather Padden, Head of History and Politics at the College presented volunteers with a copy of a painted portrait of Harry Patch to the station, which had won an Art prize.

Fundraising Chair, Don Hodgkinson presented Heather with a plaque from the Institution for the College’s continued fundraising efforts. This was subsequently shown to the whole college and will be displayed at the College reception. He said:

‘Since 2009 students have donated a generous cheque to us which will help train our Crew volunteers to save lives at sea. We are extremely grateful that they continue to fundraise for us and we look forward to seeing them again next year.’

Students were shown around both Exmouth lifeboats – D class George Bearman and Shannon class lifeboat R and J Weburn and asked Coxswain Steve Hockings-Thompson and Crew volunteer Harry Griffin numerous questions about their roles and lifeboats.

Don Hodgkinson, Chair of Fundraising presenting Heather Padden, Head of History and Politics with a plaque from the Institution