STUDENTS at Alton College are expected to have raised more than £1,000 for the BBC Children In Need appeal after an 'emergency day' that left the campus in a state of chaos!

Student, Kylie Barton, said: "You may have been a little worried if you entered Alton College on Friday as you would have witnessed many emergency services personnel running around!

"But don't panic, it wasn't a fire or anything else untoward; the emergency was the need to raise as much money as possible for Children in Need.

"Students chose the emergency services theme for fancy dress as part of a day of chaos and fun planned by the Students' Union to raise money for the nominated national charity, a tradition carried out every year by the college."

Activities included a student 'slave auction' which had scores of students queuing out of the doors of the sports hall to bid for their 'slave' to carry their bags and do their homework. With bids ranging from £10 to £90, the slave auction alone raised just over £500.

Kylie added: "Spirit Day Spa in Alton came to college to inflict pain, in the form of sponsored leg waxing – men only. Many male students went home a pound or two lighter, including organiser Ben Errey. The chaps all raised money through sponsorship for the privilege."

Pudsey was wondering around the campus collecting money and, in the refectory, Aaron Bufton was challenged to eat 13 slices of beans on toast, which he did, raising over £80 in the process.

Kylie continued: "As always, student groups gathered money in a sock and the bulgiest one won the coveted title. Cakes were made and sold, there were sponsored stay awakes, soloists sung songs for money, Robin Cody, who has been cultivating an afro was sponsored to straighten it which he did and raised £70.

"Students conjured up a multitude of original ways of fundraising to compliment the main events."

According to Kylie, the overall amount raised has topped the £1,000 mark – "not bad for a day of 'poor' students reaching into their usually padlocked purses!"

Students' Union staff representative, Ben Errey said: "It's amazing that everyone is still getting so enthusiastically involved, it makes it what it is."

In thanking all those who supported this year's efforts on behalf of Children in Need, including everyone – students and staff – who joined in the spirit by dressing in 'emergency services' costume, Kylie was keen to emphasise the reason for the appeal.

Kylie writes: "Last year the BBC raised over £19 million, and figures are still being added up for this year's total, but there is a confidence that it has smashed last year's.

"All of the money goes to helping disadvantaged children and young people right across the UK with many different needs. Children from broken homes in care, to children suffering from a range of disabilities; these funds will help individuals and organisations that are fighting for the technology, resources and support to help ensure that all of our children live a full and happy life.

"Students at Alton College are among the lucky ones around the country who have constant access to such great facilities and to a solid network of support provided by the team here at College.

"A round of applause for all the 'doctors', 'nurses', 'police' and 'firefighters', and everyone else involved in raising money for this remarkable cause."