TWO trophies were scooped by our Youth Enterprise team – best community involvement and best presentation.
The team of Year 9 students raised £1,370.82 for Rossendale Hospice in the challenge.
Bryony Booth, 13, said: “We held a bake sale, a ‘guess the name of the reindeer’ competition, made reindeer hot chocolates, held a Santa Class 2 Grass run and a non-uniform day, which was to raise money for Emmeline’s Pantry, a foodbank in Manchester.
“We collected donations in lieu of Christmas cards, had collection boxes, a photo booth and a stall for people who were attending the school’s dance show.
“We also got to visit Rossendale Hospice and it was very different to how we imagined and what we expected. It was such a nice place.
“It is not just a place for people who have cancer; it helps people who have many different long-term illnesses.”
Olivia Doody, 13, said: “I thought the hospice would be like a hospital ward and might be upsetting, but it was lovely.
“We never realised how much it costs to keep the hospice going.”
At the celebration evening at Alder Grange School, Rawtenstall, judges selected Haslingden’s presentation as the best along with awarding our team the best community involvement trophy.
Clare Richards, Head of Fundraising at Rossendale Hospice praised the students for their ‘enthusiasm, creativity and effort’. She said: “The challenge is now in its third year, and once again we have been overwhelmed by the effort, commitment and imagination shown by the pupils taking part.
“The feedback we received from students, teachers and mentors has been incredible. It really seems to capture their imagination.
“Through teamwork, practical skills and a lot of hard work they have raised an incredible amount of money and awareness for Rossendale Hospice and we can’t thank them enough for that.”