A local fundraising event undertaken by a Year 7 Newton Abbot College student has led to a surprise and impromptu international donation.

Year 7 student, Joseph Rowell recently ran a games table at Abbotskerswell Christmas Market to help raise money for the College’s chosen charity for the academic year, Julian House. Following coverage of his fundraising efforts on the College’s social media platforms, a Mrs Paterson from Lisbon, Portugal, tweeted the College to offer to match Joseph’s donation. Following a series of tweets and phone calls, Mrs Paterson donated £30 to Julian House, as well as offering to send a range of sanitary products in support of the recently publicised Red Box Project that will ensure the young women in the College community feel safe, secure and provided for during their period.

Assistant Principal and Fundraising Lead, Katherine West, said of the donation: “We are absolutely blown away by this incredible act of generosity. To have someone so far away from us and our College community be so moved by one of our student’s efforts that they donate their own money is just incredible. We are so grateful to Mrs Paterson and what her kind donation will do for Julian House. This just goes to show that the work we do goes beyond our College walls, and that any effort, however large or small is seen and appreciated for the kind act it represents.”