Spectators of a sixth form production helped raise more than £200 to support Suffolk people suffering from AIDS and HIV.

Students at One, formerly Suffolk One, based in Ipswich, asked audience members to donate to the local branch of the Terrence Higgins Trust during their sell-out run of Rent.

Lois Hinsley, music teacher at the college, said: “A lot of issues in Rent were in relation to HIV and AIDS and therefore we wanted to help raise audience members’ awareness of these issues and do something positive for a local charity.”

Robert Rollings, case manager for Terence Higgins Trust in Suffolk, said around 400 people were living with HIV in the county today, and the money would be used to help them.

He added: “We hope to be able to work with the sixth form again in the future on charity initiatives.”

Student Ryan Lenney, who played Tom Collins in the show, added: “I feel humbled and privileged to have raised money for this iconic cause.”