School pupils raised more than £200 for charity while on a business course at the University of Sussex.
The sixth-formers took part in an 'Apprentice-style' challenge, competing to sell the most confectionery to staff and students at the University.
The challenge was part of the Sussex Study Experience (SSE) scheme for young people who would be the first in their family to attend university.
School pupils have raised more than £200 for charity after taking on an Apprentice-style challenge at the University of Sussex.
While on a business course at Sussex, the sixth-formers were split into teams and challenged to raise as much money as they could by selling confectionery to staff and students on the University’s campus.
The money earned by the teenagers went to their chosen charity, The Clock Tower Sanctuary, which supports homeless young people in Brighton and Hove.
Holly, from St Philip Howard School near Chichester, explained: “When we visit Brighton, we see homeless people on the streets. We chose this charity because we thought this was an area where we could make an impact.”
Last week’s challenge formed part of the business strand of the Sussex Study Experience (SSE).
The SSE is a programme to raise the aspirations of young people who would be the first in their family to attend university, as well as those from groups that are under‑represented in higher education.
The scheme, run by the Widening Participation team at the University of Sussex, provides sixth‑formers from across the South East of England with short academic courses in a range of subjects.
Young people are also offered an optional residential stay on the Sussex campus to introduce them to what life is like as a student, before attending a celebratory graduation day in summer.
Tamanna, a pupil at St Paul’s Way School in London, said: “I feel like the fundraising challenge gave me more confidence to interact with people I don’t know.
“I also enjoyed learning more about businesses – I didn’t realise before just how many costs were involved in running a company.”
Luke, from Sackville School in East Grinstead, added: “I’m planning on studying international business and I now have a better idea about what this would be like. It’s opened up a new window into university life.”
Susan Smith, a Teaching Fellow from the School of Business, Management and Economics at Sussex, said: “We challenged the pupils to raise money for charity because we wanted to teach them that businesses can have other purposes beyond making a profit.
“They really responded to this and have put their heart and soul into raising money for The Clock Tower Charity.”
The money raised by the pupils is enough to train a volunteer to support young homeless people in Brighton & Hove.