STUDENTS at Buckinghamshire New University took themselves to account in the name of charity, raising more than £800 by paying all their library fines in one week.

A total of £810.28 was raised through fines paid to library at the University’s campuses in Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, and Oxford Road, Uxbridge, which was then split between two charities - Rafe's Place and the Pepper Foundation.

Students reached in to their pockets to cough up their fines in the initiative organised by Bucks New University's Students' Union, which has nominated the two charities as its chosen Raise and Give (RAG) good causes for the year.

Rafe's Place is a creative charity working with young people, and the Pepper Foundation funds home care for seriously ill children in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Jane Bower, Societies and Volunteering Coordinator for Bucks Students' Union, said: "This shows how much money can be raised for charity through something as simple as library fines.

"We spread the word and the students all paid their outstanding fines to ensure that any money due to be paid was done so in aid of two very deserving good causes."

Former Mayor of High Wycombe, Jane White, an ambassador for the Pepper Foundation, said: "I hope the young people who have raised this money realise the difference they are making to a child who is ill and to their families. We would like to say a massive thank you from the Pepper Foundation to everyone involved in raising this money."

 Jim Dudley, Electronic Music Manager for Rafe's Place, who is studying BA (Hons) Music Management & Studio Production, said the donation was a 'fantastic effort' by the students and the University's Library Service.