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North West children to get 'nifty with fifty' for Apprentice-style fundraiser

Derian House's '£50 Junior Challenge' invites aspiring entrepreneurs to create their own 'business empire'

YOUNG BUSINESS BRAINS: Parklands School pupils prepare to join Derian House's '£50 Junior Challenge' (Image: Derian House)

A Chorley hospice has invited young 'business brains' across the North West to create their own 'empires' to raise vital funds for seriously ill children.

Derian House Children's Hospice's '£50 Junior Challenge' runs from March to June. It invites aspiring youngsters to turn £50 into as much money as possible for the hospice 'in true BBC Apprentice style'.

From dress-up days and bake sales to sponsored walks or 'read-a-thons', the children will battle it out to top the leaderboard. A group from Parklands High School in Chorley will participate, with the school doubling the charity's £50.

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Alexander Spinks, a Year 10 student at Parklands, said: "It's important to raise money for charities like Derian House because they don't get funding from the government – they have to raise it themselves. We get £100 to spend and have to create a business plan.

"Derian House is close to our school, so it's nice to do something for them. We hope to raise at least £1,000 for the charity – our plan is to have a non-uniform day where everyone pays £1."

The £50 Junior Challenge will run alongside Derian's equivalent for adults, with businesses in the North West competing. Last year, the £50 Business Challenge raised almost £40,000 for the charity's 400 babies and children.

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Ann Marie Fishwick, a community fundraiser at Derian House, said: "Whether you want to get your form group or school house to create their own business empire, or you're just a budding entrepreneur who wants to support a local charity, we'd love for you to get involved!

"It will cost Derian House £6 million to run services in 2023, so we rely heavily on our kind supporters – like Alexander and his school. So get your thinking caps on for our first-ever Junior Challenge, and you never know – maybe you could top our leaderboard!"

To join, email ann-marie.fishwick@derianhouse.co.uk

For more information, visit the website here.

Submitted by Derian House Children's Hospice