NEWTON ABBOT College has announced that Torbay Special Care Baby Unit will be its chosen charity for the academic year.

Students and staff are already hard at work planning fundraising events for the year including a hair and beauty charity day, Christmas Fair and a walk from London to Oxford.

The charity was chosen after science team leader Sam Faro had a personal experience with the unit.

Her daughter Romilly spent a week in the unit following her birth in June this year, where she and her parents received second-to-none care and support.

Ms Faro, pictured with her daughter and students, said: ‘When I found out the college had nominated the baby unit as the official charity for the year I cried, I was so grateful.

‘They were incredible after our daughter’s birth.

‘If it wasn’t for their amazing work, Romilly might not be with us today.’

Last year the college raised more than £9,000 for Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton.