THE community of Route 39 Academy, situated in Higher Clovelly, came together on Friday, July 15, to raise money for North Devon Hospice and Shelterbox.

A Promise Auction was held, which raised £2,184 for the two charities.

Director of curriculum, Chris Fuller, was delighted with the result, he said: “Our community of students, staff, parents and governors well and truly kicked into action for the Promise Auction — we had a huge range of people generously offering ‘Promises’ and spreading the word.

“Our original goal was to raise at least £900, and it is absolutely fantastic that we have raised over double that amount.”

The ‘Promises’ on offer ranged from beauty treatments and hampers, to guided walks on Dartmoor and a week in a holiday cottage.

One of the ‘Promises’ at the Auction included a weekend stay for two at Stowe Barton B&B, a National Trust house near Kilkhampton and the setting for the Daphne du Maurier novel ‘The Kings’ General’.

Unfortunately ITV’s Westcountry’s Seth Conway was due to run the auction but had to cancel at the last minute.

Instead Mac King, a student at the academy, bravely stood in and ran the auction.

Parent governor Jane Pollock said: “He did a great job. He was really organised, funny and engaging and a real asset.”

The money raised at the event will be split between the two charities, allowing the academy to supply three shelter boxes, which will provide emergency shelter and tools for families made homeless by conflict and natural disasters.