Pupils raise £17k for St Catherine's Hospice

The money is enough to fund an entire day of St Catherine’s care services and the students’ achievements were celebrated at a glitzy awards night at the Holiday Inn, Gatwick on May 5.

Watched by parents, teachers and mentors, pupils from Hazelwick School, Thomas Bennett Community College and Oakwood School were among those presenting business plans and event ideas to a judging panel in a bid to win one of four awards.

With fundraising ideas ranging from ‘sponge the teacher’ to cake sales, mufti days and lip sync battles, selecting the winner of each award was not an easy task for our judges. They awarded Hazelwick School for the most money raised; Gatwick School for most pounds per pupil; Thomas Bennett Community College for best presentation.

Designed to develop students’ business skills, the Five-O Project 11 week programme challenged a school team of six students ranging from Year 7 to sixth form to create a business plan and organise initiatives to raise a minimum of £1,500 for St Catherine’s from an initial £50 investment.

With support from 20 business mentors from event sponsor NatWest, most of the school pupils smashed their fundraising target.

The pupils also benefitted from professional business advice and expertise as they planned their fundraising ideas.