Gas Safe Europe, developers of a unique patented product Detectagas which tests domestic carbon monoxide alarm products, has sponsored The Firs School in Chester’s inaugural Year 6 Business Enterprise Scheme.

The Enterprise Scheme, which involved teams of pupils competing against each other to see who could turn an initial £10 investment into the most profit, raised more than £400 for the school’s chosen charities – Dadagun, an orphanage in Nepal and Make a Wish Foundation which grants wishes to children and young people with life threatening conditions.

All 29 children from Year 6 were involved with the competition which encouraged them to use their creativity as well as entrepreneurial skills. The children came up with ideas such as selling sweets, making cupcakes and recycling unwanted goods into gifts, which were then sold at the school’s summer fair.

The overall winner was Patchwork Cats, which was made up of 11-year-old pupils Thomas Brennan, Emily Harries and Charlotte Jones. They made an incredible £94.59 profit by producing and selling Pine Cone Cuties and Pine Cone Beasties; pinecones decorated as different animals and selling them for 50p. They also sold decorated flattened spoons for £1 each.

To celebrate the achievements of the children a special Awards Presentation was organised with Managing Director of Gas Safe Europe, John Stones, who presented medals and certificates.

As well as the overall winner, other teams were recognised for their hard work with awards given out for categories such as Best Marketing Strategy, Best Team Work and Best Eco Idea.

Emily Harries, student at Firs School from team Patchwork Cats said: “I enjoyed everything about the project. I loved the selling part and being able to be really creative. Seeing how much money we raised along the way really spurred us on to keep making more.”

Emily Harries and Charlotte Jones from Patchwork Cats are now so inspired by the competition that they are planning to set up their own business making and selling loom bands.

John Stones, Managing Director of Gas Safe Europe, said: “I was so impressed with the children’s hard work and dedication, the whole process was fantastic from start to finish. The children’s creative ideas, planning and marketing strategies were exceptional. It was really great to see them get stuck in and for two such deserving charities too.”

Lucy Davies, headteacher at The Firs School, said: “We are so grateful to John and his company for supporting our first Enterprise Scheme. The children worked hard and we are very impressed with the level of creativity produced by the children.”