Budding Black Isle business brains help turn profit for Highland Hospice

A TEAM of budding entrepreneurs from the Black Isle has come out tops in a competiton which has turned a tidy profit for one of the Highlands' best-loved charities.

Pupils from three Highland secondary schools raised £4,842 in the Young Highland Apprentice competition run by Highland Hospice.

Teams of teenagers from across the region were invited to get involved and help generate cash, with Fortrose Academy, Invergordon Academy and Culloden Academy taking up the cause.

All proceeds went to the charity, which provides specialist palliative care to adults with incurable life limiting disease from across the area.

The youngsters were given £250 start-up cash last summer and, under the guidance of a teacher, were told they could diversify as much as they liked in their business venture.

The competition - inspired by popular television series The Apprentice, headed up by Lord Sugar - finished on Thursday, January 23, when the teams made 20-minute presentations about their efforts to a panel of judges.

The teams were scored on how much money they raised, their presentations and the creativity of their business activities.

An all-boys team from Fortrose Academy came away with the top prize, winning an iPad each to go with their medals and trophy.

The school made an impressive £2,330 from their start-up allowance through a range business ideas.

As well as designing and making innovative products like clocks from old vinyl records, they managed to convince their physics teacher Nick Forwood to dress up as a pink fairy to help fundraise at the school.

Team leader Cally MacColla (16) was delighted with their efforts, but a little apprehensive Mr Forwood would “hold it against them”.

Their business studies teacher Margaret Rhynas was ecstatic.

“They have learned a lot about working together as a team and developed their business skills and techniques while learning about Highland Hospice as well, which has been a key driver and inspiration to them,” she said.

The efforts of all the teams impressed the judges throughout the competition.

Scottish Provincial Press was the media partner for the event.