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BUDDING entrepreneurs put their business skills to the test in aid of a good cause at the Highland Hospice Young Highland Apprentice Competition.

Local schools were given a start-up loan – £250 for secondary pupils and £50 for primary schools – and used that cash to start a business or raise funds, with some schools doing

both.

At the end of the competition, the teams produced a set of accounts and deducted their seed fund to show their profit.

However, judges also took into account other factors, including preparation and the strength of the business idea when choosing a winner.

This year’s competition was particularly well supported by Crown Primary in Inverness with seven teams taking part, including winners the Money Bunnies.

“Their idea was to make Christmas trees out of pallets and they won because they had the foresight not only to research, but to take orders,” hospice fundraiser Katie Gibb said.

“They sold all their products, but because they also took orders, they were able to maximise their opportunity, whereas some of the others made a product and if it sold out, that was great, but that was all.”

In a close final, Crown faced competition from Balloch Primary’s Santa Squad, who sold individual hot chocolate sachets and Santa Dust magic glitter.

The Balloch team impressed the judges with in-depth market research and also the level of sponsorship the team secured from local businesses which maximised their revenue and donations for the hospice.

Tain Royal Academy’s TRA Leaders won the secondary school section. Money-making initiatives included a Halloween event and a Christmas fair, which was open to the wider community.

The annual contest, sponsored by Inverness estate agent Tailormade Moves, generated £4200 for the hospice.

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