TAVISTOCK College and the wider community have pulled together to help people in Nepal affected by last month's devastating earthquake.

Last Friday, £2,082 was raised in the college for ShelterBox and the Nepal tragedy. Students, staff, parents and local churches came together to raise funds and show their concern for all the people of Nepal.

The school was reassured that the Nepalese teachers who visited the school in March are safe at the moment, but many children in the partner school are homeless and living near the school on an area of wasteland, in make-shift housing.

A spokesperson for the college said: 'Students came to the college in mufti and parents kindly made donations. We hardly had enough tables to use to show all the beautiful cakes, cup cakes and cookies so kindly donated by college families. There was a cake sale all day around the school, supported by the local churches who raised money and kept the sixth form supplied with tea and cakes between lessons.

'At lunch time, a staff versus student rounders match ended up with a win to the students; the staff forfeit being shouldered by Mr Forster, the head of PE, who will be in the stocks next week!'

Sixth form student Jazz Rice painted a picture of a peacock, a symbol of Nepal, which the art department has made into cards which can be bought from the college reception. They will also be on sale at parents' evenings and awards evenings this term.

The college managed to buy three ShelterBoxes in one day. It needs another £232 to buy a fourth.

The college has been in contact with ShelterBox and knows the organisation has been in Nepal since the day after the earthquake struck and that its plans are being implemented to ensure the boxes and tents reach those in need. The tents are desperately needed and the charity will ensure they reach the people in Nepal.

The college expressed thanks to everyone in the community for their support.

The height of Mount Everest is 8,848 metres and each tutor group in the college is planning to raise at least £88.48 to put towards the whole college's target of raising £8,848.