SOUTH Gloucestershire and Stroud College have been supporting the Philippines Community Fund (PCF) for the past four years with the SGS College Philippines Project.

This Project is composed of volunteer students and tutors from the College.

The Project provides its participants with the opportunity to learn about social problems within local communities abroad and engage in philanthropy as part of good global citizenship.

The Project aims to work with the Philippine Community Fund (PCF), a British charity in the Philippines and founded by Jane Walker, MBE in 2002.

The volunteers work with the charity across a range of areas including; education, nutrition, health and community-based initiatives at the infamous ‘Smokey Mountain’ former primary garbage dumpsite in the capital city of Manila.

Last year the college raised a massive £5,701.99 by the end of the academic year, not including £1,071.76 to fund resources and activities directly benefitting children, families and staff of the PCF School during a two week trip to Manilla by SGS students and staff back in June.

Jane Walker, PCF CEO encouraged the Project to join the ‘Big Give Christmas Challenge’ to try and double the donation by applying for match funding.

This was matched and last month the College was proud in handing over a cheque for over £13,000.

On receiving the donation, Jane Walker commented: “Yours was the largest donation! Truly wonderful news. Best news of the day!”

Phillapines Project Coordinator at SGS, Maria Meredith commented: “Christmas has come early for PCF. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen!”