Coleg Cambria unveils new charity partner after record-breaking year of fundraising success

RAISING money and awareness for incredible causes is at the heart of life at Coleg Cambria. 

The north east Wales college is gearing up for a year of events and challenges after unveiling the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru as its nominated charity partner for 2019.

Following an incredible 12 months in which Cambria raised more than £115,000 for the NSPCC, staff and students have already started planning activities to support BHF Cymru.

Chief Executive David Jones also revealed the college’s new approach to charity moving forward under the brand name Calon – Charity in action, which will give them an even sharper focus and structure in supporting organisations across the country.

“To have raised so much and worked so well in collaboration with the NSPCC was one of the highlights of our year,” said Mr Jones, who himself walked 48 miles across three counties in just 14 hours for the cause.

“We will of course be aiming to carry out as many challenges and events as we can alongside our partners and businesses, because we know what amazing and vital work the British Heart Foundation does across the UK.

“We’ve given ourselves a huge task in trying to match the target we raised for the NSPCC, but we will do everything we can to get as close as possible, or even beyond it.

“That’s what we do at Cambria, we always try and be better and this year will be no different.”

The institution held a series of events and activities throughout 2018, including an evening with former Wales and British Lions rugby captain Sam Warburton, who supported them in his testimonial year.

The fundraising activity involved students and members of staff from across the college’s sites in Deeside, Llysfasi, Northop and Wrexham.

Notable highlights were the 24-hour relay of sports and exercise, a bake-off, carol singing, sponsored walks, salsa dancing, head shaves, a tractor pull, a snookerthon, a 15-mile bath pull, the Bala Canoe Challenge, a Santa Dash, lantern walks, trampolining and much more.

Adam Fletcher, Head of BHF Cymru, thanked the college for choosing the charity and looks forward to working together to shine a light on the issues they deal with every day.

“We are very grateful to Coleg Cambria for their support,” said Mr Fletcher.

“They are playing a crucial role in helping BHF Cymru end the heartbreak caused by heart and circulatory diseases, including heart disease, stroke, vascular dementia and diabetes.

“It’s thanks to generous fundraising efforts that we’re able to make a difference to the 375,000 people living Wales with heart and circulatory disease, and I’m excited that we will be working with Coleg Cambria as their chosen charity this year.”