COLEG Cambria raised a staggering £115,249.33 for the NSPCC following a year of charity challenges.

Chief executive David Jones OBE and Karen Senior, head of student services, unveiled the total at the college’s Mostyn Theatre in Deeside, an event attended by Alan Peterson OBE, the NSPCC Wales Appeal Board chair, who described the achievement as ‘inspirational’.

The college held a series of events and activities throughout 2018 including an evening with former Wales and British Lions rugby captain Sam Warburton, who supported the charity in his testimonial year, and involved students and members of staff from across the college’s sites in Deeside, Llysfasi, Northop and Wrexham.

Mr Jones, who along with his wife Julia, by completing a gruelling 48-mile trek across three counties in just 14 hours, praised Mrs Senior – who co-ordinated the college’s fundraising programme – and the hundreds of staff, students and partner organisations who helped them to reach the final tally.

He said: “A lot of effort has gone into supporting the NSPCC over the last year and that’s reflected in this amazing final sum.

“For us it was not just about raising money, it was about raising awareness; our students and staff became ambassadors for the NSPCC and will be for the rest of their lives.

“It also sends a message out that Coleg Cambria is here for the people of our community and beyond, a caring organisation that makes a difference every single day.

“To every person who took part in an event, donated money or contributed in some way, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart – this is amazing.”

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 and the popular Christmas pantomime and festive markets. Employees also took on the London Marathon, the Bala Canoe Challenge, a Santa Dash, lantern walks, trampolining and much more.

Money raised will help the NSPCC provide vital services like Childline and ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ which visited almost 75,000 children in more than 465 Welsh primary school visits.

Specially trained staff visited 71 schools across North East Wales in 2017/2018.