Member Article

Entrepreneurial students set to run charity stall at Stockton Sparkles

Ten students from Stockton Sixth Form College will be running their own pop-up retail stall in Stockton town centre this week, with all proceeds being donated to a North East charity.

The wannabe entrepreneurs will be selling handmade Christmas gifts and festive goodies at Stockton Sparkles market on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th November, after the retail unit was kindly donated by Stockton Borough Council.

The group, part of the college’s Social Enterprise enrichment team, put forward the idea as part of the Alan Shearer Foundation’s annual Young Social Entrepreneur competition, which sees schools and colleges go head-to-head to turn £250 seed money into the most profit for charity. Last year the competition raised over £20,000 for local disadvantaged children.

Laura Etherington, a second year student at Stockton Sixth Form College, said: “The idea of the competition is to help enhance our business and leadership skills whilst raising vital funds for charity. I have been part of this enrichment project for over a year now and I think it will really help me stand out as I look to apply to university.”

First year student, Subhaan Ali, said: “I study Business at college so putting my classroom knowledge and entrepreneurial skills in to practice will be a really unique experience. We want to raise as much money as possible as we know how much difference we can make to an amazing local charity.”

Joanna Bailey, Principal at Stockton Sixth Form College, said: “It is so important for students to learn and develop skills which will allow them to be successful in their next step. The college’s enrichment programme focuses on doing just that, and, as ever, our Social Enterprise students have thrown themselves in to their next challenge.

“We are exceptionally proud of their enthusiasm and willingness to make this opportunity a success.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Samantha Hockney .