THEY'RE under starter's orders — and they're off.
In a bid to raise money to help Romanian orphans Kelly College is holding a 'Night at the Races'.
The various 'races' are sponsored by local people and businesses, and 'punters' can bet on which horse will cross the tape first.
All the proceeds will go towards 'Homes for a Future', a charity run by former Kelly student Amanda Bridgewater, now doing her finals at Oxford.
'It was set up by a friend, Peter Sidgwick, I met at Oxford, and has been running for three years now,' she said.
Peter raised a lot of money himself for the first house, but co-opted friends, including Amanda and Tom Davies, a Trinity student from Yelverton, among the six now running Homes for a Future, to help out.
'The first house was opened in September and we are hoping to open two more next year,' said Amanda.
'We have £50,000, but we still need another £30,000, some of which we hope to raise at this event.'
Amanda said even now, 10 years down the track, things were still difficult, but the early publicity meant people in Britain were well aware of the plight of the orphans.
An additional difficulty now is the Romanian authorities.
'It is difficult,' said Amanda. 'The Romanians are trying to re-build their economy, so they are not very keen on stories like this while they are trying to encourage tourists.
'But you need the support of the local authorities, such as the local hospital and childcare authorities — they determine how many children we can help, and we need other help buying houses because, as foreigners, we can't own land.'
She said a lot of help came from White Cross, which had people working full-time in Romania, with the necessary connections.
The event will take place at Melvin Hall, Kelly College on May 26. Entry is £10, minimum stake is £1.