Over £14,000 raised for Willow Wood Hospice in Enterprise Challenge

Young people from across Tameside and Glossop have turned creativity, teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit into vital funds for Willow Wood Hospice.

The Hospice’s Enterprise Challenge, now in its second year, saw pupils develop business skills by forming teams and using £25 of seed funding to create and run their own fundraising projects.

From hot chocolate pop-up stalls and film nights to darts tournaments, sweet cone sales and even a Christmas Fair, students embraced the challenge with enthusiasm - collectively raising more than £14,000.

Their achievements were celebrated at a special awards ceremony held on Thursday, 12 March at St Thomas More RC College in Denton, bringing together more than 100 attendees including pupils, teachers, sponsors and invited guests.

Schools and colleges taking part included All Saints Catholic College, Ashlea House School, Ashton Sixth Form College, Corrie Primary School, Fairfield High School for Girls, Laurus Ryecroft, Micklehurst All Saints CE Primary School, St Andrew’s CE Junior School, Samuel Laycock School, St Damian’s RC Science College, St Thomas More RC College and Tameside College.

The event was hosted by local entrepreneur Tom Armstrong and attended by the Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Shibley Alam, and her Consort Mohammed Khairul Alam.

Awards were presented by the Civic Mayor alongside sponsors and dignitaries, including representatives from Tameside Council and Hospice supporters.

St Thomas More RC College was named overall winner after organising a range of activities, including a carol concert and a sponsored run.

Other award winners included Tameside College and All Saints Catholic College, which shared the Most Creative Fundraising Idea Award. Corrie Primary School received the Team Excellence Award, while St Andrew’s CE Junior School picked up both the Community and Inspire Award and the Sponsor’s Choice Award.

St Damian’s RC Science College won the Innovative Action Award, with Class 8JTS also securing the Top Branding Award. Micklehurst All Saints CE Primary School was given the Positive Impact Award, Fairfield High School for Girls received the Opportunity Award, and Ashlea House School was recognised with the Outstanding Achievement Award.

The ceremony also featured an inspiring speech from Niamh O’Hare, a Business Administration Apprentice at Tameside Council, who shared her career journey, while Carl Shaw, Assistant Principal at Tameside College, offered guidance on future education pathways.

Tara Farren, Community and Events Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “We are incredibly proud of every single pupil who took part in this year’s Enterprise Challenge.

“The creativity, enthusiasm and teamwork they have shown has been truly inspiring, and to raise over £14,000 is a fantastic achievement.

“Not only have they helped to fund one-and-a-half days of care for our patients and their families, they’ve also gained valuable skills and confidence that will benefit them in the future. We are so grateful to the schools, teachers and sponsors who have supported this year’s initiative.”

All funds raised will go towards providing compassionate, specialist care for patients across Tameside and Glossop living with life-limiting illnesses, as well as support for their loved ones.

Following this year’s success, the Enterprise Challenge will return for the 2026/27 academic year, with organisers encouraging schools, youth groups and businesses to get involved.