ENTERPRISING students have raised hundreds of pounds for charity and learnt new skills to help them in the future.
A local food bank and a regional appeal to help impoverished children will both benefit from the efforts of Richmond School and Sixth Form College students.
A group of seven students on the Prince’s Trust initiative – a scheme to provide alternative qualifications for children who perform better vocationally – have been working tirelessly to help the community.
They have grown and sold vegetables in the school greenhouse, made and marketed hot chocolate reindeer packs and sourced and sold tea light holders, Christmas cards cakes and sweets.
Their efforts raised enough money to finance the course and make a £304 donation to the local Influence Church Food Bank and TFM’s Mission Christmas.
Last year the project saw one student win the Regional Achiever of the Year Award and this year another has been short-listed for the accolade.
RE teacher and leader of Prince’s Trust Amie Bell said: “The students have done incredibly well and have gained such a lot of experience that will help them in the future, whether that will be setting up their own businesses or going to college.
“Students were surprised that in this region we needed to help a food bank and local children but once they became aware of the plight of many young people they threw themselves into fundraising with even more vigour and the donation is the spectacular result.”