A PROJECT inspired by reality TV shows Dragons Den and The Apprentice is set to make thousands of pounds for charity. Three teams of students at St Columba s College and three local businesses are currently taking part in the Dragons Apprentice scheme ru

A PROJECT inspired by reality TV shows Dragons Den and The Apprentice is set to make thousands of pounds for charity.

Three teams of students at St Columba's College and three local businesses are currently taking part in the Dragons' Apprentice scheme run by the Centre for Voluntary Service's (CVS) project Connect St Albans.

The businesses (the dragons) - Deloitte, Serena Software and Premier Foods - each gave �100 to the students (the apprentices) and have given them marketing, financial and business management mentoring to help them make their money grow.

Money-making schemes have included music events, rugby coaching for youngsters and bag-packing at a local retailer.

The three teams are hoping to achieve in the region of �1,000 for their charities - Home-Start, Herts Young Homeless Group and the Volunteer Centre.

The final amounts and the winner will be announced at an awards ceremony next month, which will be presented by St Albans Mayor Cllr Chris Oxley.

Penny Mortimer from the CVS project said: "Everybody benefits - the boys, the school, the businesses, the charities and the local community.