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Raising cash to buy much needed treats for rescue dogs, proved an inspiration to a group of young people looking to build their enterprise skills.

The task was part of a Prince’s Trust Achieve course delivered by the Education Training Collective at Laurence Jackson School in Guisborough.

With the promise of meeting and greeting some new four-legged friends at the end, who wouldn’t want to get on board?

“It certainly helped motivate the group,” said Prince’s Trust school Achieve tutor, Melisa Marsden. In fact, the team were so eager they were soon taking the lead.

Melisa said: “We looked at different good causes to potentially raise money for, but when the young people heard about the challenges faced by Maxi’s Mates, the dog rescue charity on their doorstep, particularly post the pandemic and lockdown, they were keen to get involved.”

The Prince’s Trust Achieve programme offers an alternate module that can be delivered in schools, giving youngsters the chance to build new skills, confidence, and motivation.  Those that successfully complete the course also receive a nationally recognised qualification.

Challenged to raise funds for a good cause, the group of Year 9 pupils were soon brimming with ideas. 

From raffles to blind cards and running a stall during school break times, Melisa said: “It was amazing to see their confidence soar.”

The team raised £110 to pay for chews, treats and toys, and as a result, the charity invited the group along to meet some of the dogs.

Yvonne Daynes, a kennel hand at Maxi’s Mates, said: “It’s amazing these young people have spent their time and effort to help the dogs.  Having treats and toys is so important to make the dogs as happy as we possibly can while they wait to be rehomed.  It is only through the generosity and the donations of people like this that we can continue our work.  The support we receive is heart-warming and, at times, quite emotional.”

Bradley, 14, said: “It has been quite fun, and we are doing something good which is helping the dogs.”

Building new skills along the way, he added: “It takes confidence to go up to people and ask them to buy a ticket, and that is what we have done.”

Courtney, 14, said: “We sold as many raffle tickets as we could around school to the teachers and students. It was fun and we wanted to help the dogs.”

Impressed by the pupils’ efforts, Laurence Jackson’s behaviour intervention lead, Katie Norton said: “The group really enjoyed the project, and it shows in how excited they were to come to Maxi’s Mates to visit the dogs.  They know that they have done a good thing and it is so nice for them to be recognised for that."

Achieve tutor Melisa added: “The transformation in some of these young people from the start of the course to this final project has just been remarkable.  We are immensely proud of all they have achieved.”

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