Leicester College was delighted to announce another successful year supporting the College’s annual charity, Keep the Beat. A record breaking £6,556 was raised on behalf of the Charity by the College’s learners and staff. This marks the most successful year of fundraising by the College to-date.

On Wednesday 1 October, at Leicester College’s Freemen’s Park Campus the College handed over the £6,556 cheque to Keep the Beat representative Robyn Lotto. Keep the Beat is a Leicester-based charity which supports the families of children with congenital heart defects.

During the presentation the College also announced that The Bridge is the College’s new charity for 2014/15. The Bridge is a Leicester-based charity which supports individuals who are needy or homeless. The company was selected from 19 charities which were put forward for consideration by staff and learners.

Robyn Lotto, who represented Keep the Beat said: ‘It is fantastic that an organisation such as Leicester College embraces its annual charity and puts such energy into its fundraising. Not only have they raised an incredible amount of money but they have raised awareness with their staff and learners about the aim of Keep the Beat, and this wider awareness is invaluable.”

Shabir Ismail, Deputy Principal at Leicester College, also commented: “This is an annual celebration that truly represents the spirit of Leicester College. The annual charity focuses our learners and staff to deliver increasingly creative ways to fundraise, from car washes, to climbing Ben Nevis to the now much anticipated campus samosa and cake sales.  Learners involved gain skills such as communication, working as part of a team and the sense of achievement of goals set, all attributes employers seek.  In addition they appreciate the value of giving up time to benefit others which is truly satisfying.”

Liz Carney, Mentoring Co-ordinator at The Bridge was delighted with the news that they were to be Leicester College’s charity for 2014/15. She also commented “We are thrilled with the decision by Leicester College’s learners and staff to choose the Bridge and its Mentoring Project as its charity of 2014/15. At the Bridge we support homeless and vulnerable people who have great difficulty in accessing basic services that most people take for granted to live safe and fulfilling lives. We very much look forward to working closely with the College.”