Exeter University medical students support Westbank's Community Larders

Students from the University of Exeter Medical Society have raised an incredible £676 in support of Westbank Community Health and Care's Community Larders and recently presented a large cheque to the charity’s Head of Fundraising.

They raised the funds through a charity raffle held during the Society’s Winter Ball for first and second year medical students. The event brought students together for an evening of celebration, while also supporting a cause that makes a real difference to people in the local community. The raffle was supported by a number of companies in Exeter who generously donated prizes, helping to make the fundraiser such a success.

Medical students from the University of Exeter regularly attend placements at Westbank’s Healthy Living Centre in Exminster as part of their Community Recruitment Programme. These visits allow students to see for themselves the wide range of grassroots services delivered by Westbank and the positive impact they have on people of all ages in the community. After witnessing this work in action, the Society decided to raise funds specifically to support the charity’s Community Larders.

Westbank’s Head of Fundraising, Katie Elliott, who recently attended Exeter Medical School to receive the cheque, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of students and local businesses, and thrilled that they decided to fundraise for this vital service which supports so many families and individuals living on the west bank of the River Exe. Our mission is to help people live fulfilled, healthier, happier lives for longer.

“In these challenging times, our Community Larders, which provide a mix of fresh produce and store cupboard staples, are one way we can help do this. Huge thanks to everyone involved in this fundraising event and to all those who supported it so generously.”

She added: “Westbank prioritises preventative healthcare, and the placements we provide for medical students reap benefits on both sides. For the students, they help fire up their interest in medicine and give them the opportunity to explore the importance of social and psychological factors in illness and health, what it feels like to be a patient or service user on the receiving end of care, and what it is to be a good healthcare professional. It also helps give them an appreciation of the diverse settings in which healthcare is delivered. For Westbank, it’s an important opportunity to share our experience of delivering preventative healthcare in the community and provide guidance and insights for the next generation of healthcare professionals.”