Youngsters to raise money for Derian House by being challenged to get nifty with fifty

For children at Derian House Children’s Hospice, aspiring young entrepreneurs have been tasked with turning £50 into as much money as possible.

The charity’s ‘£50 Junior Challenge’ will take place from March to June and invites aspiring young business brains from across the North West to create their own business empire in true BBC Apprentice style.

From dress up days and bake sales, to sponsored walks or read-a-thons, the little big shots will do everything they can to get to the top of the challenge leader board.

A group of bright sparks from Parklands High School in Chorley pledged to take part in the challenge.

Not just that, the school has doubled the charity’s £50 – giving the youngsters a £100 head start.

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 their funding from the government – they have to raise it themselves. We get £100 to spend and have to create a business plan so we can go and make even more.

“Derian House is close to our school to so it’s nice to be able 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.”

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

“It will cost £6million for Derian House 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 leader board!“

The £50 Junior Challenge will run alongside Derian’s equivalent for grown-ups that will see businesses across the North West compete to raise as much money as they can for Derian House.