Dragons' Apprentice Challenge 2012

	Meet our new team - the Sandringham Wildlife Saviours (SWS). From left to right: Georgia Faulder (PM), Katie Harrall, Ian Bowles (Premier Foods), Sarah Mee (HMWT), Danielle Porteous (HMWT), Emma Cox, Eppie Hollands, James Broadwell (Director of Learning at Sandringham School), Sarah Howell and Bryony Clarke. Rebecca Newman and Kim Chaudhary are also in our team, but not pictured.

This is a community initiative first launched in 2009 and organised by CVS St Albans District. It is designed to encourage schools and local businesses to work together to support charities within the district of St Albans and Harpenden.

Between September 2011 and March 2012 team of young people (the Apprentices) take up the challenge to "turn £100 into £1,000+ for a local charity". The teams may do this in any way they choose as long as they prepare a clear plan stating what ther business idea is, and how they aim to reach their target. All profits made by the teams go directly to their charity.

Each team has a business mentor (their Dragon) who provides support in the form of advice and resources to help their team achieve their business goal and funding target.

There are a number of awards up for grabs, ranging from the most innovative product/service or business idea to the best example of close co-operation with the charity. The overall winner of the challenge is the team that raises the most money/profit for their charity.

SWS Vintage Fashion Show Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust have joined the challenge this year. We have been paired with students from Sandringham School in St Albans and Premier Foods also based in St Albans. As part of their fundraising activities SWS will be running a vintage fashion show at The Sandpit Theatre, St Albans on Tuesday 6th December from 7pm. "Local shop 'V for Vintage' are kindly providing the clothes for the fashion show. With live performances from two local bands, a raffle, cup cakes and tickets only £4 each, and all for charity, you can't really go wrong!" SWS Project Manager Emma Cox. Anyone can attend the SWS Vintage Fashion Show with tickets on sale not. Please call the Box Office on 01727 370 067 or visit www.sandpittheatre.co.uk to books yours now.