A student-led Breast Cancer Awareness Cake Sale brought the college community together to raise vital funds while helping students develop their English language, teamwork and employability skills.
Students from West Thames College’s ESOL Adult and PET classes have raised an incredible £1,111 for Breast Cancer Now through a learner-led Breast Cancer Awareness Cake Sale held on Wednesday 21 October.
The fundraiser brought students and staff together in support of an important cause, with learners taking responsibility for every stage of the event, from planning and baking cakes to organising stalls, welcoming visitors, running fundraising games, managing finances and clearing up afterwards.
Working collaboratively across classes, learners selected representatives, agreed responsibilities and coordinated their efforts to ensure the event ran smoothly. Teachers supported and guided the process, giving learners the opportunity to take ownership, make decisions and put their ideas into practice.
The event also featured an awareness stall organised by Level 1 Health and Care learners, aged 16–18 and adults, who created informative posters highlighting the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Meanwhile, Level 2 Community Interpreting learners supported Pre-Entry learners with communication, helping them confidently engage with the wider college community.
West Thames College link governor Philip Sullivan also joined the event, taking part in the fundraising games and showing his support for the learners’ efforts.
All £1,111 raised will be donated to Breast Cancer Now, a charity dedicated to supporting people affected by breast cancer through research, information and support services.
Tana Rasekh, CQTM in ESOL Adult at West Thames College, said: “I have always believed that when you are ambitious for your learners and your team, and give them the confidence and opportunity to take ownership, incredible things can happen. So I had every confidence that the event would be a success! What I hadn’t anticipated was the sheer generosity of our college community and the incredible £1,111 we would raise.
“For me, the greatest success wasn’t just the money raised, but seeing our learners rise to the challenge, take pride in their responsibilities and confidently engage with the wider college community. It was a real testament to what learners can achieve when we have high expectations, believe in their potential and create meaningful opportunities for them to shine.”
Beyond fundraising, the event provided a valuable opportunity for learners to apply their English language skills in real-life situations, practising speaking, listening and communication while interacting with people beyond their usual classrooms. They also developed transferable skills, including teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, customer service and financial literacy.
These experiences reflect the college’s commitment to an ESOL curriculum that empowers learners to use their English confidently beyond the classroom, build a sense of belonging and become active members of their communities.
Tana added: “I couldn’t be prouder of our learners or more grateful for the incredible team I have the privilege of leading.”
West Thames College would like to thank the ESOL Adult and PET team for their dedication in supporting the event, alongside everyone across the college who purchased cakes, took part in games, made donations or encouraged the learners.
Following the fundraiser’s success, the team hopes to make the cake sale an annual event while continuing to develop learner-led enrichment opportunities throughout the academic year. Plans include community volunteering, employer engagement, educational visits and collaborative projects with local organisations.
The fundraiser was a celebration of community, compassion and learner achievement, demonstrating how meaningful opportunities to lead can help students build confidence, develop essential skills and make a positive difference beyond the classroom.
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