First Give, the charity working in partnership with secondary schools, alongside The Jack Petchey Foundation whose aim is to develop young peoples’ confidence, joined forces together on Wednesday February 8 at Gumley High to run a philanthropic initiative.

Twenty eight Year 9 students took part in this event, representing seven charities. All the presentations were informative and professionally executed and it was tough for the judges to choose an overall winner.

The winning team, made up of five students and representing the charity Safer London, won £1000. They were animated and totally focused throughout their presentation and gave a moving portrayal of the dangers young people face on the streets of London.

Claire Hubberstey, Chief Executive for Safer London, said: “First Give is brilliant because it empowers young people to speak up and be heard about the causes they are passionate about.

“The fact that students from Gumley House chose Safer London for their presentation is a bonus – charities always struggle to bring in enough funding. To receive this gift from local young people shows that we must be doing something right, and £1,000 will go a long way.”

The runners up were Missing People and Shooting Star, both of whom were worthy contenders.

Bryony Long, Community & Events Fundraising Manager from Missing People, said: “We were delighted to be chosen by students at Gumley House School to be part of the First Give project. Being awarded a £250 grant means so much to us, as a local charity with big ambitions and a national reach.

“We publicise missing people’s appeals online, in print and through social media. We also run a 24 hour helpline to provide emotional support to anyone who is missing from home, thinking of leaving and families who are left behind.

“Every year 250,000 people go missing – just imagine how devastating it is to have someone you love simply disappear.”

Gumley have run this initiative for many years but for the last three have been with First Give. It is an initiative that is embedded in the school RE and citizenship curricular and works in conjunction with First Give’s vision to help build a new generation of motivated and switched-on young people, wanting to use their skills to support local charities.