STUDENTS at Darlington College have been raising money for the starving in Africa as well as for cancer research closer to home.

A coffee morning was held to raise money for Cancer Research UK, with a classroom transformed into a coffee house for the day.

Six teenagers taking the GNVQ foundation in health and social care course organised the event.

To add a festive touch to the proceedings, the students decorated the room with tinsel and also provided customers with mince pies to have with their coffee.

Student Toni Dee said: "We have been working with the charity as part of our course and wanted to help an umbrella organisation like Cancer Research UK.

"The coffee morning proved really popular and we raised more than £300.

"We are also planning to collect more money at a local supermarket."

Meanwhile, fellow students donned fancy dress and took to the corridors to raise money for Band Aid. A host of events, including raffles, a tombola, a sponsored silence, dance and karaoke helped raise almost £1,400 for the charity.

The fundraising was organised by tutor Paula Willis, 20 years after she took part in the original Band Aid appeal as a student.

She said: "I remember having a great time back then, collecting money for the charity.

"My students certainly seemed to enjoy themselves too.

"They really got into the Band Aid spirit and I'm proud of how much they raised.

"Let's hope in 20 years' time, they won't need to organise another Band Aid event.

"But if they do, I'm sure they will throw themselves into it as we have."