Party planners drum up £820

8:19am Wednesday 2nd January 2008

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STUDENTS at Kingston Maurward College raised £820 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

A special fundraising event, Get Ready to Party', was organised by students who invited guests to the college for a range of free pre-party treats and advice including hairstyling, facials, massage, manicures, pedicures, make-up, relaxation and pampering sessions.

Students studying for the OCR Level 2 Certificate in Administration masterminded the event.

They liaised with exhibitors, organised publicity, parking, refreshments and facilities, and drew up schedules and contingency plans to ensure that the event ran smoothly.

A raffle was also set up to help raise funds for the students' chosen beneficiary, the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance service.

The event was a success with 18 exhibitors and more than 100 people turning up.

Student Tamara Broom told why they chose to help the air ambulance.

She said: "The decision was made by all of us on the course.

"We felt that the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance service was a very worthwhile cause, particularly as it helps people over two counties and covers a lot of rural areas.

"It is a service that any one of us might one day need.

"Planning 'Get Ready to Party' was a lot of work, but fun too.

"I worked in the liaison group taking care of the exhibitors, contacting them ensuring that everything ran smoothly and following up with letters.

"I think we all learned a lot and I definitely feel much more confident in handling public events and communicating with people I haven't met before or talking to them on the phone."

Tamara is hoping to build a career in administration, possibly in the legal or public sector.

Mature student Yolanda Walshe, also taking the Level 2 Certificate in Administration, enjoyed the exercise.

She said: "It was a very valuable experience and I definitely gained a lot from working as part of a team to get things done. Having now had an insight into everything that is involved in event management, I don't think that I will be daunted if I am asked to do something similar in the future.

"It's given me a lot more confidence."

Organising a major event is a lot of responsibility and requires good team working and organisational skills, according to tutors.

Course Tutor Janet Bown said: "These are just the skills that employers are looking for today.

"Whether students come to us straight from school or have already worked in other jobs, the project management element of the course is a great way to get to grips with the skills that employers really want - team working, problem solving, communication and working effectively under pressure."

Full details of the OCR Certificate and Diploma in Administration at Levels 2 and 3 are available on the Kingston Maurward website www.kmc.ac.uk or by telephoning 01305 215086 for more details.