A team of students from Woldingham School were delighted to be one of four award-winners after displaying their business skills in this year's St Catherine's Hospice Enterprise Challenge. The four winning teams raised over £10,500 between them for vital end of life care for patients and their families.

The students competed for the awards by pitching their fundraising event business plans and outcomes to a panel of judges, headed by Daryl Gayler of Challenge sponsors RBS Corporate.

The team from Woldingham School picked up the award for best marketing strategy. The judges noted their good use of market research and clever responses to the challenges they faced in promoting their fundraising ideas.

Awards for the best business plan and best pitch awards both went to the Oriel Inspired team from Oriel High School, in Crawley who impressed the panel greatly with their excellent presentation and display of incisive business acumen, which included forging a relationship with Crawley Town FC in support of their football tournament event.

The overall winner was the school that raised the most money, and this prize went to the team from Holy Trinity School, Crawley, who raised an outstanding £4,700. Students held a number of events including a talent show and the judges were particularly impressed with their intelligent use of a promotional flyer.

Daryl Gayler, Regional Director of Corporate Banking South East, from RBS Corporate says "We're delighted to be associated with the Enterprise Challenge and the range of events and variety of marketing techniques the students have employed have been deeply impressive. It's these business skills that will stand the students in good stead for their futures."

Victoria Lawrence, community fundraiser at St Catherine's Hospice says, "This year's Challenge has been incredible as we more than doubled the amount raised through last year's event. The involvement of RBS Corporate has been invaluable to the success of this, with the team's RBS mentors playing a key role in terms of advice and guidance for the student teams.

"We've seen some tense inter-team competition and some incredibly creative and innovative fundraising ideas from all the teams and I would like to thank everyone at all the schools who took part - Oriel High and Holy Trinity from Crawley, Millais in Horsham and Woldingham School - and in particular the students and teachers who undertook the Challenge. We'd also like to thank Madeline Mills and the team at the Education Business Partnership in West Sussex for their support and guidance.

"We're delighted with how this year has gone and we've already had a number of schools enquire about next year's event too."

Madeleine Mills, co-ordinator of the Education Business Partnership says, "This is a fantastic project and really does challenge the students beyond their expectations, helping them develop skills they will need for their future working lives. Each year I am amazed at how much money the students manage to raise, and this year is no exception."

To find out more about the Challenge and how your school could support St Catherine's Hospice please contact Victoria Lawrence on 01293 447376 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.