A GROUP of Arts University Bournemouth students held a charity exhibition and gala to mark the centenary of the First World War last week.

Let Us Remember, organised at the East Cliff Court Hotel by second year art and events management students Anouskja Atalay, Lauren Burrows, Emily Landless, Holly Lewis, Charlie Northey and Poppy Reed, included live jazz from local musicians, talks and an exhibition of forces memorabilia.

The evening, on Thursday, March 6, raised nearly £1,000 for forces charity Help for Heroes.

Miss Reed, 19, said: “Each year we get a budget of £400 to put on an event, and we decide on the theme and have to arrange fundraising and sponsorship.

“We wanted to do something with a war theme anyway and with the anniversary of the First World War coming up it seemed a good idea to do something on that.

“We wanted it to be about the soldiers, to honour those who fought in the past and those who are currently fighting.

“We were really pleased with how it went and we got a lot of unexpected extra guests on the night.”

Guests, including Bournemouth mayor Rod Cooper, enjoyed a drinks reception and canapés, as well as live music from Tall Order and Scarlet Swing.

There was also a talk from Anne-Marie Littlewood of Help for Heroes, who spoke about life in the military, and original poetry from Steve Biddle.

The exhibition included items donated by local residents, the Royal Signals Museum, the Fleet Air Arm Museum and Royal British Legion community fundraiser Ian Jarvis.

Alongside military uniforms and cap badges from past and present, there were photographs and letters from both world wars, a Second World War portable switch-board, documents and even ration packs giving an impression of military life over the past century to the present.

Miss Lewis, 19, added: “We wanted to do something a bit different and include an educational aspect, so it wouldn’t be just a charity gala.

“We also made a film with interviews with people from Help for Heroes and some of the old footage from the First World War, which we think is touching.”

Visit facebook.com/LetUs|RememberBournemouth for more information.