A GROUP of student chefs left the heat of the kitchen and took to the streets for a mammoth fundraising effort on Monday.

The College of West Anglia students ran from the King’s Lynn campus to the Isle Campus in Wisbech to raise about �145 for Comic Relief.

Their route took them via King’s Lynn town centre where they collected money along the way before heading along the scenic route, avoiding the A47, to Wisbech, where they arrived footsore and weary four-and-a-half hours later.

Tutor Alex Harrison said the group of students had done little training and most of them managed a six-mile stint before swapping with colleagues in a minibus support vehicle.

He said: “Considering the lack of training, they did really well and I am really proud of them. We are hoping more money will come in for the charity.”

Mr Harrison completed the entire 18-mile run and is training hard for an even bigger challenge later in the year when he runs five marathons in five days.

He will be taking part in the Forces March to raise money for veterans and is on course with his training for the event in May.

The Forces March sees competitors retrace the 132-mile route first pounded in the summer of 1942 by members of the 6th Airborne Division training for D-Day. They completed the journey from Ilfracombe, Devon, to the Army garrison at Bulford in full kit and carrying 80lb packs.

Mr Harrison will be part of a team with other runners based in Hertfordshire and can be sponsored via www.justgiving.com/Alexander-Harrison to help achieve his �1,000 target.

Meanwhile, students across the college have been doing their bit for Comic Relief with a variety of colourful events.