Buxton student project receives national acclaim

A money-saving project devised by Buxton students has been highly commended in a national competition.
Buxton and Leek college students Jake Hutchinson, Dan Mellor, Georgia Callaghan-Barber, James Nicholas, Alana Peebles, Dave Sheldon and Kieran Wagstaffe. Photo contributed.Buxton and Leek college students Jake Hutchinson, Dan Mellor, Georgia Callaghan-Barber, James Nicholas, Alana Peebles, Dave Sheldon and Kieran Wagstaffe. Photo contributed.
Buxton and Leek college students Jake Hutchinson, Dan Mellor, Georgia Callaghan-Barber, James Nicholas, Alana Peebles, Dave Sheldon and Kieran Wagstaffe. Photo contributed.

Judges in the Lloyds Banking Group’s money for life challenge singled out the entry from public services students at Buxton and Leek College’s Buxton campus as one of the top 15 projects in England out of 300 entries.

Aware of the intense pressure on young people to keep fit but conscious of the high cost of gym memberships, the innovative teenagers devised an exercise DVD, Free Physique, which allows their peer group to exercise safely, free of charge, at home and eat healthily through cheap and nutritious meal ideas.

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Project coordinator Lois Clarke, of the University of Derby’s Student Union, explained: “The Lloyds banking group gave us £200 to fund the project and our aim was to create a happy and healthy student population by showing them how to get fit without having to spend money on expensive gym subscriptions. The students created their free DVD using both photographs and video. We are proud to see that the project has been recognised and awarded a £300 grant towards its continuation.”

Richard Robinson, lecturer in public services at the college, said: “The project helped the students develop teamwork, creativity, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.”