Teen tycoons put their business brains to good use for charity

The team was one of six shortlisted from local schools invited to present to the SuperDragons – leaders from the world of business, education, local government and charity – at this week’s Challenge Finals at Shendish Manor Hotel.

The teenage tycoons in waiting who stepped up to tackle a charity challenge were showered with praise on Monday night.

Competing teams from Dacorum secondary schools were supplied with £100 stake and challenged to turn it into £1,000 or more, with support and advice from mentors within the borough’s business

Cllr Allan Lawson, Mayor of Dacorum, presented the awards and inspired the audience of young people, businesses and charities by emphasising the ‘practical’ value of the Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge. Presentations at the finals night revealed the wealth of business lessons learned by the Year 12 pupils as they staged everything from cake sales and craft fairs to offering a ride in a Ferrari to hit their daunting targets.

Named as overall winners on the night – and the team with the most money earned at an incredible £2,225 – were Adeyfield School, who scooped a Snow Centre session and tea and cakes at Shendish for their efforts in support of Gaddesden Place Riding for the Disabled.

Other winners were Team Flash at JFK School for Most Innovative Business Idea with a prize of a meal from Nando’s.

Cooke’s Angels from Longdean School won two awards – one for Close Co-operation with their Charity and one for Best Presentation, and prizes of a case of J2Os each from Britvic and a Radio Dacorum training session.

New Beginnings of Tring School won Best Display and a prize of a voucher towards a drinks and cakes from Costa.

The Challenge is being run simultaneously across Herts with a total of 69 teams registering from 30 schools.