STUDENTS at Alloa’s Forth Valley College have been fundraising for a trip to a local safari park at the end of the year.

Cameron Grant, William Hunter, Cara Stewart, Jake Martin, Sophie Ross and Joshua Katz, who all have additional support needs, have been raising money throughout the term to pay for a trip to Blair Drummond Safari Park.

The six students organised a burger café on Monday, May 30 where they made their own food to sell from their cookery class, as well as arts and crafts created throughout their course,

With the help of chef lecturer Ruari Chatburn they served burgers and sold items such as ceramic plant labels and bags made with Jane Paterson in Art class, and a collage ‘zine created as part of a workshop with poet Ryan Van Winkle.

From their outdoor classroom gazebo, on the lawn outside Alloa Campus, they catered for everyone with vegetarian, Halal and gluten free options available.

As well as being fun for the students, the activity has covered numeracy through handling money, literacy (making display materials including allergen charts), communication, teamwork, health & wellbeing, enterprise skills and confidence building.

Andrew Wake, lecturer in the department of business and communities, said: “They did very well indeed and all of them took turns in running the stall, each with self-allocated tasks, being mindful of hygiene and safety, working as a team and practicing good customer service.

“On the day the students raised around £75.

“From creating artwork and working on the posters for the event, through creating the burgers and setting up the stall – with kind help from ACE course students putting up the gazebo – to serving and talking to potential customers around the campus to drum up business, the students are very proud of what they've achieved, as am I.”

The students wish to thank chef lecturer Chatburn, Alison Meredith, Jane Paterson and external support worker Kay Coull (Play Alloa) for all their help and support.