YOUNG people across Tameside and Glossop have turned creativity and teamwork into vital funds for Willow Wood Hospice as part of an innovative initiative.
The Hospice’s Enterprise Challenge, taking place for the second successive year, encourages pupils to develop business skills by forming teams and using £25 of seed funding to create and run their own fundraising projects.
Activities included hot chocolate pop-up stalls, film fundraisers, darts tournaments, sweet cone sales and even a Christmas Fair.
The achievements of participating schools and colleges were recognised at a special awards ceremony held on Thursday, March 12, at St Thomas More RC College in Denton.
The event brought together more than 100 attendees, including pupils, teachers, sponsors and distinguished guests.
Taking part this year were pupils from 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.
Hosted by local business leader and entrepreneur Tom Armstrong, the event was attended by the Civic Mayor of Tameside Councillor Shibley Alam, and her Consort Mohammed Khairul Alam.
Awards were presented by the Civic Mayor alongside main sponsors Energy & Carbon Reduction Solutions; Emma Alexander and Dean Kleban from Tameside Council; Hospice patron Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester; Hospice trustees Timothy Jackson, Chris Hinds, Stephen Giblin and Phill Brown MBE; and Business Innovation Advisor Pam Mistry.
Alongside main sponsors Energy & Carbon Reduction Solutions, the initiative was also kindly sponsored by Ashton United in the Community, Bennett Staff, Brother UK, Brother International, Casey Group, Denton & Audenshaw Rotary Club, Droylsden Glass, Foams 4 Sports Ltd, Inology IT, Millson Group, and Pilgrim’s.
St Thomas More RC College was named overall winner after pupils organised activities including a carol concert and a sponsored run.
Tameside College and All Saints Catholic College received the Most Creative Fundraising Idea Award, Corrie Primary School was awarded the Team Excellence Award, and St Andrew’s CE Junior School received both the Community and Inspire Award and the Sponsor’s Choice Award.
St Damian’s RC Science College picked up the Innovative Action Award, with Class 8JTS also securing the Top Branding Award. Micklehurst All Saints CE Primary School received the Positive Impact Award, Fairfield High School for Girls was honoured with 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 insights from her own journey, while Carl Shaw, Assistant Principal at Tameside College, provided valuable guidance on future education pathways available to students.
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 from Tameside and Glossop with any life-limiting illness, and those closest to them.
Following this year’s success, the Hospice’s Enterprise Challenge will return for the 2026/27 academic year.
Teachers, youth leaders and businesses interested in taking part or supporting the initiative can express their interest by visiting: https://willowwood.org.uk/echal-2026-27/
