A special event held in memory of a student has raised over £300 so far for the British Heart Foundation at Coleg Gwent's Pontypool Campus.

The event was held in the memory of Art and Design student Matthew Lammas, who sadly passed away earlier this year. It was organised by health and social care students and friends of Matthew, Tahnaya Davies and Katie Pritchard.

The students were moved to organise a fundraising event in their friend's memory. Helen Murray, Matthew's mother, who helps students with self-esteem and personal development in the Pontypool campus 'Green Room', mentored Tahnaya and Katie.

Students and staff raised money with competitions, beauty treatments and cakes, whilst the highlight of the event had students and staff out-bidding each other for the rare chance to plant custard pies on a group of willing campus staff, including Matthew's mum Helen and Campus Director Keith Backhouse.

Matthew, who underwent a heart transplant three years ago, was passionate about helping to raise awareness of the British Heart Foundation's work.

"Matthew was a really good friend, and it was such a shock for all of us when he died," said 20 year-old Tahnaya.

"We all wanted to do something for the British Heart Foundation and to support Helen as she has always helped us, so we came up with the idea of getting everyone together at Pontypool Campus for a fundraising event. It went really well, and it was great to see everyone working together."

The money from the event is still coming in and Tahnaya is also adding to the total by raising money for the British Heart Foundation in her hometown of Abergavenny.

Head of School for General Education, Maria Johnson, said: "We're so proud of the students for organising this event, and for working hard to raise so much money for the British Heart Foundation."