School pupils have raised £22,000 for charity through a range of innovative business ideas in this year’s Dragon’s Apprentice Challenge.

Herts Advertiser: Team Verulam Enterprise, whose discount card raised £3,000 for The OLLIE Foundation. Picture: Community Central.Team Verulam Enterprise, whose discount card raised £3,000 for The OLLIE Foundation. Picture: Community Central. (Image: Archant)

110 pupils from 13 schools across the St Albans district celebrated their victories at both junior and senior levels, where pupils are tasked with making as much profit as possible from an initial £100 investment, with the help of their designated “dragon” business guru.

Team Verulam Enterprises came up with the idea of a discount card on behalf of The OLLIE Foundation, and scooped the best innovation and presentation award while also raising £3,000 for charity, which works to raise awareness of teenage suicide.

The Foundation’s co-founder Stuart Falconer said: “Part of our charity is about awareness and although fundraising is a great thing, it’s the raising awareness we want to promote so anything we do to engage with the community is good.”

Team Unity from St Albans Girls’ School were the overall winners of the senior challenge, which is open to Year 12 pupils, as well as the joint winners of the best use of social media accolade.

Their schoolmates from Team Accord won the prize for most profit generated, while Team Moving from Nicholas Breakspear School won best partnership with charity and were joint winners of best use of social media.

Team Phoenix from Sir John Lawes School won best display for an exhibition held before the awards evening, and Team Empire from Samuel Ryder Academy won special recognition for attempting to link up with another school to organise a colour run after their own school council could not accommodate it.

Kate Newton, acting chief executive of volunteer organisation Community Central St Albans, which runs the annual challenge, said: “It was fabulous seeing the students’ enthusiasm for their partnered local charity.

“Many of the charities that will benefit this year are very small and are struggling with funding.

“Many of the young people said knowing their money would have a direct impact on improving the lives of people was the highlight of the challenge for them.

“The Dragon’s Apprentice Challenge has generated £475,000 for local charities over the last nine years and we thank every single student, business dragon and charity partner for contributing to this phenomenal success.”