School children in Barrow came up with their own business, complete with Dragon's Den style pitches, and successfully raised over £1,000 for a local hospice.

The Bright Stars business programme challenges primary school pupils to 'Make a Profit and Make a Difference'.

This is exactly what 64 children in Year 4 of Victoria Academy did after they decided on the charity they wanted to raise money for.

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Teaching staff spent a lot of time at the start of the spring term discussing local charities with the children highlighting the impact that fundraising can have.

The children decided upon St. Mary's Hospice because there are families in the school community who have been supported by its services.

They then came up with the business name Victoria Acada-Cake and set about creating its branding in the form of a business logo, which was sent to a graphic designer, and designing posters for the fundraising events to come.

The year group was split into seven business groups and they each came up with a business plan which they thought would raise the most money for the chosen charity.

(Image: Victoria Academy) The team leaders took part in a Dragon's Den pitch with the CEO of Oxley, an Ulverston-based provider for defence, aerospace, rail and telecommunications, and promoted their ideas. 

It was then time for the children to carry this out with events planned over two days.

They held a bake sale at Oxley and sold their floral artwork too.

They then held a sale at the end of the school day which was open to the school community and was a huge success.

For the sales event, they sent out letters asking for donations which was very well received.  

The events team held a Cake and Coffee afternoon for Year 4 grown-ups which was also incredibly supported.

(Image: Victoria Academy) The children served their grown-ups for the afternoon and joined them for a cake and a chat.

As well as making their own, the children asked the kitchen staff to make a selection of cakes  which they sold on the day, along with more artwork.

Year 4 tutor Miss Patterson said: "I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication the children put into their business.

"They developed many different life skills and had so much fun with it. They enjoyed serving the public and were incredibly polite demonstrating excellent customer service skills.

"It was an absolute pleasure to do this enterprise with them and they are very proud to raise money for a charity which they know is close to my heart."

In total, the children raised £900 themselves with Oxley pledging £300 to make the total £1,200 raised for St. Mary's Hospice.