STUDENTS at Tavistock College have spent the last term of the Millennium taking part in a range of world-wide charity campaigns.
The College's One World Group for Romanian aid has raised a massive £860 for children living in orphanages, many of whom have mental problems due to malnutrition and lack of exercise and stimulation.
'Romanian Aid helps them to live as normal lives as they can by giving them a home environment to live in and helping them learn to look after themselves,' said Graham Stoate, College assistant vice principal.
The same group raised £35 on World Aids Day and a further £350 for Children in Need.
Advanced business studies students at the College organised a Care at Christmas campaign, in which they raised money for children in Derriford Hospital.
Mr Stoate said: 'As part of the advanced GNVQ business studies course students have to show their competence in organising an event.
'They dressed up in festive costumes from Harlequins Party Shop in Plymouth and collected money at Tavistock College and in the town centre.'
The festive capers raised £161.55 which will be used to buy toys for four children's wards at Derriford.
And Year 12 students have been working hard to fill aquaboxes, which provide urgent support to areas suffering from natural disaster.
Mr Stoate said: 'Following disasters the supply of safe drinking water is often disrupted.
'This can promote the spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid, or by a more simple infection causing diarrhoea leading to death from dehydration.'
Aquaboxes, sponsored by Rotary International, are filled with essential welfare items such as clothing, eating and drinking utensils, hygiene equipment, basic tools, a torch with batteries and candles.
College students held mufti days, asked local businesses for sponsorship and asked fellow pupils for donations in an effort to fill the aquaboxes.
'The campaign has been particularly successful — so much material has been brought in that our original target of three boxes was soon passed,' said Mr Stoate, who added a further three boxes have now been ordered from the Rotary Club.