CHILDREN at Ingleton Primary School have used their business acumen to raise hundreds of pounds to replace equipment at their village playground.
The school’s young entrepreneurs were each given £5 at the beginning of the term which, through various business dealings, grew to a combined pot of more than £460. The idea for the challenge was made by former pupil and businesswoman Michelle Vickers, of Withroths Hairdressing.
She said: “We loved the thought of supporting an amazing community project for a great school hopefully producing the next Richard Branson. Ingleton is a great community which pulls together when needed.
“As a pupil of Ingleton school many years ago, I suggested to my business partner Sarah Dovican we should give each child in years five and six £5 to set up a business to raise funds for the new play equipment for the village playing field.” Former headteacher Judith Pressley took charge of the challenge in support of the current headteacher Karen Whittaker.
Mrs Pressley said: “It is incredible. We have one child who has made £111 – Ryan has made cakes and sold them. Elliot made lovely wooden houses, painted them and then sold them. Others have been washing cars for people.”
Mrs Vickers’ daughter Amy made a business of preparing meals for two and selling them to friends and family.
Mrs Vickers said: “We’ve had a boy a selling eggs. He’s been quite stressed because his chickens aren’t laying enough to meet demand.”
All the cash will go to the Pavilion Field Working Group which is hoping to replace the aging adventure trail.
Each child who took part was awarded a certificate of appreciation from Ingleton Parish Council which Mrs Pressley presented to them last week.
