Football fever raises cash for charity

Construction students at Chichester College have raised nearly £550 for a mental health charity.

They took part in a fiercely competitive cross-department five-a-side football tournament, to celebrate the end of a challenging year – as well as raise money for Mind.

After a tense final between the Bricklaying Level 2 and Plumbing Apprentices, it was the bricklayers who emerged victorious with a 2-1 win.

All of the teams were tasked with fundraising through sponsorship, and local businesses – including Kew Electrical, TM Clothing, Covers and Marchwood IFA – also made donations.

Ian Willitt, Head of Learning for Construction at Chichester College, said: “The tournament was a great way for our students to bring the year to a close, and we are very grateful to Tanya Cook, one of our plumbing instructor technicians, for organising the day with the support of Holly Heaven.

“It has been a disrupted year of learning for them, with lockdowns forcing learning to move online at times – not an easy thing for such practical courses.

“But they rose to the challenge and worked together, so to come together on the football pitch seemed like a good idea – and we’re really proud to have raised a decent amount for such a good cause.

“The work Mind do to provide information and support to those who are living with a mental health problem is fantastic, and it seemed only right to raise money for them at this time.”