Students from Bridport have raised over £1,000 for local charities.

The sixth form at Colfox Academy raised the funds during their successful RAG week at the end of last term. 

Raising over £1,500 for local charities, the students have donated £500 to both Beaminster Food Bank and Cupboard Love Food Bank in Bridport. 

Sixth form head students Molly Rayner and Anna Clark said: “We were thrilled with the generosity of all the students in the school.

"It was hard work organising all the fundraising activities, but it was so worth it in the end.” 

RAGs are student-run charitable fundraising organisations and RAG weeks are typically their flagship fundraising time of year and aim to help encourage participation in charitable work.

Adam Teasdale, head of the sixth form at Colfox, said: “We have a RAG week every year and have donated to a range of charities.

"This year, students wanted to make sure funds went to local charities who are working in local communities to make a difference.

"Students decided to donate the lion's share to two local food banks, with the remaining funds going to the Colfox Fund – the school’s initiative to provide breakfasts for students that need it.” 

Diane Benjamin, trustee and treasurer of Cupboard Love Food Bank in Bridport, was pleased with the donation and talked of how vital they are to the charity.

She said: “We rely on donations such as this from Colfox sixth form and the generous individuals who feel fortunate enough to have enough themselves to be able to give to others. Their efforts are highly valued; however much they raise, it all counts. 

“We count the number of food parcels we give out and over the past year this number has increased steadily to a regular 50 – 60 parcels a week.

"In 2022 we gave out 1,742 parcels over the year, in 2023 this has risen to 2,600." 

Helen Smith from Beaminster Food Bank added how 'very grateful' they are and explained what the donation what would be put towards.

She said:  “We are very grateful for this donation as it helps us to give a wide variety of food with toiletries and fresh meat, fruit and vegetables from our local shops.

 “Our work helps people in Beaminster and the surrounding villages in need of food support.

"We are open Monday and Friday mornings at 6 Prout Bridge in Beaminster. We provide an average of 20 food boxes a week.” 

To help support the Food Bank in Beaminster, donations can be given to Nick Tett Butchers and Fruit and 2Veg in Beaminster Square.

Food donations can be given to the Co-op in Beaminster and the Yarn Barton Information Centre Beaminster.

To donate to Bridport Cupboard Love Food Bank, visit the website www.bridportfoodbank.org or email diane.benjamin@outlook.co.uk directly.