Students at Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) have been getting active to raise money for SARAC.

Steps to SARAC, organised by Edward Cole, Grace Calver, Areeba Khalid and Nicky Felthouse, took place in November, and saw BDSC’s Level 3 Health and Social Care students walk as a team from the 1st to 4th floor of the college 8-10 times each, a total combined distance equivalent to climbing and descending Mount Everest (8,850 metres).

Nicola Felthouse, a tutor with Burton and South Derbyshire College, cheered the students on and monitored their progress on the day. She says “we’re all incredibly proud of the students that chose to fundraise for SARAC. They chose to unite as one for this challenge as a way of showing solidarity with survivors of rape and sexual abuse”.

SARAC is proud to be partnered with BSDC and have collaborated with them on a number of important ongoing projects, including running vital education sessions with students on topics such as understanding sexual abuse and the law, safeguarding, and trauma. These sessions raise awareness in the youth community of the issues surrounding abuse, the devastating impact it can have on lives, and how they can access support should they be affected themselves, fostering safer, more empathetic spaces in the community for young people going forwards.

A number of college students have also used their practical skills to improve SARAC HQ this year by creating extra counselling rooms and improving soundproofing, a construction project that has benefitted all involved and has created safer, more suitable spaces for survivors of sexual abuse to feel comfortable and supported in their journey to healing.

To donate to Steps to SARAC, you can do so here, via their Go Fund Me.

If you’d like to support SARAC by organising a fundraiser of your own, you can find suggestions here, or contact our CEO Catherine Miles at catherinem@sarac.org.uk to discuss your ideas.