A COMPETITION to raise vital funds for a hospice helped find Rossendale's most enterprising students.

Teams from Alder Grange, All Saints, Fearns, Haslingden High, Tor View and Whitworth High all took part in Rossendale Hospice's Youth Enterprise Challenge.

During the three-month challenge, the Year 10 school teams linked up with mentor from a number of local businesses, who kick-started their projects with a £50 donation.

The business mentors were from video production company Bigtank Productions, Cassons, estate agents Farrow and Farrow, HSBC bank, Rossendale Leisure Trust and Tricketts Insurance Brokers.

The whole competition raised more than £6,500 towards the daily costs of running the Bacup Road hospice.

Alison Whittaker-Stewart, fundraising and marketing manager at the hospice, said: “The hospice relies heavily on donations so this was a magnificent effort from the six schools who took part.

"But just as important it raised a great deal of awareness about the work of the hospice.

“The challenge took place over three months, involved more than 60 students at six schools, a corresponding number of businesses, which means an awful lot of people gave their time and effort to make the whole thing a success.”

The team from Haslingden High School won the prize for the most amount raised with their total of £2,060. They organised various fundraising events, including a Xmas Factor competition.

They were closely followed by Fearns Community Sport College in Stacksteads who were crowned runners up.

The most innovative idea award was won by All Saints RC High School in Rawtenstall with runners up Haslingden High.

The best teamwork award was won by Tor View Special School in Haslingden with runners up Rawtenstall's Alder Grange Community Technology School, while the best community involvement award was won by Whitworth High, closely followed by Tor View.

Les Nutter, managing partner of Cassons and head of the hospice’s corporate ambassadors group, said: “This is the second year we have run the challenge and once again the link up between the business and Rossendale’s schools has given the hospice a significant boost.

“It’s been great to see the imagination and hard work that’s been put in by all the teams.

"It’s also great that so many young people get to understand more about the valuable work the hospice does.

"There were some tremendous fundraising ideas, great displays of teamwork and evidence that students had picked up new skills.”

The challenge ended with a celebration event at Alder Grange where the winners were announced.