Gumley House Convent School FCJ in Isleworth recently competed for the chance to win £1,000 for a charity of their choice. Two hundred students split into teams of four or five, started the scheme in September and each team had to identify and research the needs of their chosen charity.

Throughout the scheme they were asked to produce presentations and videos to a selection of staff members, who chose the final eight teams.

First Give, who organize this philanthropic project in secondary schools, help young people to give their time, tenacity and talents to improve local communities.

Louisa Searle, Programme Manager of First Give, said: “The students of Gumley House were truly inspiring. It was humbling to hear young people advocate with confidence, creativity and conviction the causes and charities about which they are passionate. It was clear that they had taken the lessons and messages truly to heart.”

The winning team represented the Liesel Angel Trust, a charity giving practical support for terminally ill children and their families.

Aneesa Chaudri, Trusee of Liesel Angel Trust, said: “It was our pleasure and privilege to attend the First Give speaker’s event, and to hear the inspiring young people speaking passionately about their respective causes.

“We are delighted and thankful to First Give for creating the opportunity for young people to get in touch with charitable deeds within their neighbouring communities.

“Liesel Angel Trust children’s cancer charity is currently not funded by any organisation and therefore relies heavily on public donations. Thanks to our winning team, we can continue the vital work of supporting children and young people with cancer.”

Two further teams, representing The Stroke Association and Home-Start, both won £250 each for their charity. Home-Start said that the money will fund a new volunteer course in April, when they will be training fifteen new volunteers to help some of the most vulnerable local young children and their families.

The students spoke with confidence to a large audience made up of parents, charity representatives, staff and students. They were articulate and passionate about their chosen charities, answering questions without hesitation and demonstrating good preparation and maturity.

Ewa Kolczynska, one of the judges and headteacher of Gumley House, said: “Our students’ continued involvement in community projects reflects our school’s values and I am delighted that three very deserving local charities have been granted funds as a result of the First Give Initiative in our school.

“This programme has been embedded as part of our citizenship curriculum with all our Year 9 students and I am very proud of their extraordinary commitment to these charities. I would also like to recognise the other charitable organisations that supported our students and attended our final event; I am hopeful that we can work with them again in the future.”