New College Durham Students Lone Soldier Figures Raise £1145 for the Royal British Legion

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the students worked together with technicians and lecturers to create a range of metal sculptures. The students designed the figures to come in three sizes: desktop, free standing and garden. They then cut out the lone soldier silhouettes and welded them on to bases.

From 5 to 8 November, the engineering students ran a stall in the College to promote the figures to staff and students. The demand was unprecedented and in the first five hours orders worth over £500 were made.

Christopher Dawson, Mechanical Engineering Lecturer at New College Durham said: “The response was overwhelming with staff and students purchasing figures for themselves and also buying them on behalf of friends and relatives. It was a great opportunity for the students to work under pressure to meet the demand.”

As the figures were so popular, the engineering students set up a production line to keep up with demand and to ensure that quality was consistent. Throughout the project the students gained experience of working on a live production line, dealing with supply and demand, working as part of a team and working under pressure to meet deadlines.

Jordan Robinson, who is currently studying on the Level 3 Sub-Diploma Engineering Technologies, said: “This has been great, we never stopped making the figures all day and we were making them to order. We were even timed by our lecturer Christopher Dawson, as the time and motion person, to calculate production. I cannot wait to start an apprenticeship.”

Jeff Bower, Curriculum Manager of the Technology Department at New College Durham, added: “This was a brilliant project and everyone involved worked hard and to a very high standard to support a worthy cause.”

Students across the College also joined in the fundraising effort. Public Services students sold poppies on behalf of the Royal British Legion in Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer, while Vocational Access students raised £200 at a remembrance café and via a Breakfast Club Remembrance Day event. 

About New College Durham: New College Durham, a further and higher education college, is a top performing college. 93% of our further education students progressed to further study or employment.

NCD destination data, academic year 2016/17: 93% of our graduates progressed to further study or employment.

NCD destination data, academic year 2016/17: New College Durham is the top performing college in the North East LEP for achievement and retention of our apprentices. Skills Funding Agency National Achievement Rate tables 2016/17, based on timely achievement.