Students support local animal welfare centre

Hospitality and Catering students from East Sussex College Eastbourne, name Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare as their charity of the year.

East Sussex College, formerly Sussex Downs College and Sussex Coast College, welcomed Mark Phillips (Fundraising Officer Corporate & Trusts) from Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare to the Kings Restaurant at the Eastbourne campus last week (19^th September).

Oliver Zecchin, joint manager of Kings Restaurant alongside Laura Da Silva Henriques, explained Mark’s visit: “Our Hospitality and Catering students have named Raystede as their chosen charity this academic year. The restaurant will hold fundraising events throughout the year, with all the proceeds going to this deserving charity.”

“A massive thank you to East Sussex College Hospitality and Catering for choosing to support us in 2018/19,” says Mark. “Raystede is a 24/7 operation and is only closed for two days out of the year. It costs £8,000 a day to run, so it’s fantastic to have the support of one of our leading local Colleges.”

Education is at the heart of the charity. Its founder, Miss Raymonde-Hawkins, a former head teacher from East End London, retired to East Sussex with the aim of setting up a rescue centre for animals. Her education background meant she wanted to inspire a younger generation on animal welfare. Today, Raystede does exactly that, with three permanent teachers on site running an education programme to improve pet welfare.

East Sussex College students enquired about volunteering opportunities with Raystede and have been invited in small groups for a behind-the-scenes look at the animal welfare centre.

Emma Hartup, Head of Curriculum (Hair & Beauty, Hospitality & Catering, Business, and Travel & Tourism) at East Sussex College, says, “We are thrilled that our students have chosen to work alongside and support Raystede. It’s opened up so many opportunities for learners, not just in Hospitality and Catering, but across the entire College. We are excited to work with the charity this year and explore different ways to support each other.”

East Sussex College’s first fundraising event for Raystede is a Traditional Afternoon Tea on Wednesday 3^rd October, held at Kings Restaurant, Kings Drive, Eastbourne. The Afternoon Tea costs just £10 per person, with money raised going to support Raystede. To book a table, please call 030 300 38315 or email kings@sussexdowns.ac.uk.