The successes and achievements of members of Falmouth and Exeter Students' Union (FXU) were celebrated at its annual awards ceremony staged at the Princess Pavilion.

The event was planned and organised by the combined students’ union for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter, Cornwall Campuses to recognise achievements from a broad range of FXU activities, from volunteering and fundraising to academic representation and sporting achievements.

Students from both universities enjoyed the chance to don their finery at the ceremony and socialise with institutional leaders, representatives from local charities, civic dignitaries, including the mayors of Falmouth and Penryn, John Body and Mark Snowdon, and Invictus Games gold medallist Chris Attis.

The ceremony was hosted by elected student representatives, Ellie Scouller (FXU President Falmouth) Rhun Davies (FXU President Exeter) Roger Auster (FXU President Student Experience) and Catherine Thornhill (FXU President Community and Welfare).

Winners were presented with unique handcrafted trophies designed by Lucy Plant, a third year sustainable product design student at Falmouth. The 3D coiled vessels carrying connotations of a maritime theme combined with celebrating the ten year anniversary of FXU were hand-stitched allowing each one to be entirely unique to represent the award winner’s originality and distinction. Along with students, members of staff were also recognised at the awards for outstanding teaching and their contribution to the student experience.

A special award was presented in memory of PC Andy Hocking. The FXU Andy Hocking Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community was presented to Hattie Frisby, who has gone "above and beyond" her role as sports officer, hugely impacting the local and wider community through her work. Hattie organised the Tremough Games 2015 and promoted it across the county and in many schools; she also fundraised for CLIC and Children in Need and worked alongside local organisations such as Cornwall Sports Partnership and Falmouth BID to bring sport to the university.

This year’s winner of The Daniel Palmer Award for The Most Outstanding Contribution to the Student Experience was Oussama Kardi for Believe and Do Good Month - an FXU Islamic Society project. The society raised over £500 for the Human Appeal through a number of fundraisers, cleaned local beaches, donated 122kg of food to Penryn foodbank and signed up 100 students to give blood. The FXU Islamic Society was so successful during its campaign that they have been nominated for National Islamic Society awards.

The evening showcased a range of students’ talents including performances by The Chorus, a student run, member lead choir; Viva Voce, FXU’s resident chamber choir; the FXU Orchestra Quartet and Tremough Follies musical theatre society.