A CHARITY event run by Eastleigh students raised thousands of pounds for those suffering from cancer.

There were more than 160 people at the charity dinner held at Botley Park Hotel, organised and run by Eastleigh College students.

Second year event management pupils were responsible for planning, marketing and organising the event.

First and second year catering students created the dishes for the evening menu, which included a cured mackerel starter, a supreme of chicken main and a chocolate, pistachio and raspberry dessert.

The meal was followed by a raffle and silent auction which raised a total of £2,295.90 for the Wessex Cancer Trust.

The event was the first one on this scale organised and run by students in a location outside of the Eastleigh College facilities.

A spokesman for the college said: “The event was the largest to date for Eastleigh College students.

“It was an opportunity for the students to make their course relevant, to experience what a related field in the industry is really like, as well as building their confidence. Students were able to see what they can achieve with hard work and focus.”

Student Rebecca Leah, from Romsey, said: “It was so satisfying to see the finished product after all our hard work; to see our team serving the food to the large amount of attendees, was really impressive. For me, this event has really built my confidence and experience, something that I certainly think will help me to enter this industry.”