St Andrews students rally round to support the community

University of St Andrews students have been rallying round to support the local community and other causes during the coronavirus emergency.

Through the St Can-drews project, students leaving the town ahead of the national lockdown donated more than 5000 items for the Storehouse North East Fife Foodbank.

The Student’s Association Sabbatical Officers have used live streaming platform Twitch to raise £1155 for the Tayside Health Fund and the National Emergencies Trust. Student President Jamie Rodney shaved his head and eyebrows to help boost the total.

Refugee Action St Andrews (RASA) has set up donation points around St Andrews, collecting clothes, bedding and other necessities for the refugee camp in Calais. Five carloads of items have already been delivered, with another three on the way.

Students still in St Andrews have been putting their names forward to volunteer to match their skills with local needs during the emergency.

Jamie Rodney said: “One of the best things about St Andrews is our community spirit, and the past couple of weeks have shown that’s even more true in these difficult times. People are incredibly eager to help in whatever way they can, and it’s been really awe-inspiring to see students from all backgrounds, in all circumstances, throwing themselves into the fight to help others.”