The Solidarity team from St. Thomas More Catholic School in Blaydon took the honours at our first Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards at Newcastle’s Live Theatre on 6 July. The team turned their initial £250 seed money into an amazing £3,352 to help provide free short breaks for disabled people at the Alan Shearer Short Break Centre.
Charity patron, Alan Shearer presented the team with a specially commissioned trophy made by the Sunderland Glass Centre, as well as a cheque for £250 for their school and a £10 shopping voucher for each team member.
The runners-up were Unity from St. Benet Biscop School in Bedlington who raised £2,089, just ahead of Sister Act from St. Anthony’s Girls School in Sunderland who came third, raising £1,997.
A total of 120 students from 10 schools took part in the competition and 14 of the 17 teams returned a profit on their seed money. Lots of fun and hard work produced initiatives ranging from fashion shows to teachers’ breakfasts and together, the teams have raised a total of £16,225. Matched funding from St Cuthbert’s Care will mean the charity can now give away 150 free nights of respite care at the Alan Shearer Short Break Centre.
St Cuthbert’s Care’s Chief Executive, Austin Donohoe said: “If you’re blessed enough in your family to never have been touched by disability, I cannot stress enough how much that will mean to families who use the Alan Shearer Short Break Centre.”
Today’s event was opened by Hussain Ahmed, a member of The Entrepreneurs team from St. Mary’s School in Newcastle. Hussain performed a rap he had composed himself reflecting his team’s experience of taking part in Young Entrepreneur.
Local businessman and St Cuthbert’s Care patron Mike Browne shared his experiences in the world of business, telling the teams that the most important qualities needed to be successful are determination, drive and commitment.
Bonnie and Bridget from the Sacred Heart High School team Justice & Peace closed the show with a performance of an appropriate song for the Entrepreneur challenge – “With A Little Help From My Friends”
St Cuthbert’s Care intends to make the Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award an annual fundraising event for school years 12 and 13 and the excitement is already building for next year’s awards. Any schools wishing to taking part, should contact Nicola Milne on 0191 228 0111.