Junior Dragons Den :: Dr Kershaw's Hospice

Junior Dragons' Den

Thursday 11^th July 2024 saw the final of our Dr Kershaw’s Junior Dragons’ Den competition; and what a day it was!

Launched in May, schools were invited to put forward Teams of up to 6 pupils who were set a challenge to design an innovative gift, work out how to manufacture it, and write a business plan.

Each of the Teams presented their product and business plan to the Dragons' Den in a bid for a business start-up loan of £30. Once secured, the teams purchased materials, produced their product, activated their marketing, and took the product to market to sell to their local communities.

24 Teams took part, producing an array of goods; from cupcakes, to personalised wooden keyrings, handmade paintings, bracelets and jewellery, candles and wax melts, to football maths workbooks, and so much more.

The quality of products and the enthusiasm and dedication from every child was outstanding.

Teams sold their goods in schools, at Fayres, and even had stalls in Spindles Shopping Centre.

The Grand Final was held at Oldham Events Centre, where each team presented once again to the Dragons with the results of their hard work. Our 8 Dragons included our very own CEO Adele Doherty; Luke Summers, Managing Director from Northern Pest Management; and Suzy Chapman, Business Innovation Advisor from the Oldham Pledge. With Frank Rothwell, local businessman and Oldham Athletic owner, in attendance to help deliver words of encouragement, support, and to present the prizes.

The standard was high and the Dragons deliberated the winners for quite some time.

Every school took home a beautifully inscribed glass trophy, courtsey of sponsorship from Spindles, and a surprise family ticket for a game at Oldham Athletic for each child, courtsey of Frank Rothwell, and three winners were announced.

The overall winning Team, which declared the most profit, with a Net profit of £400, was Cromwell High School, Dukinfield. The ‘Boy Builders’ (pictured above) had produced beautifully crafted wooden keyrings with personalised inscriptions and had smashed the competition with their sales.

Runners up, for their skills in presentation, were Firbank Primary School, Royton, and the final award for ‘innovation’ went to Medlock Valley Community Primary School, Chadderton.

School teachers shared how the initiative had helped the students with real life maths, develop new skills, make new friendships, and build confidence.

A big thank you to all the volunteers and businesses who supported the competition. The initiative really caught the imaginations of all the schools involved, and will be an annual activity for the Hospice going forwards!

We are delighted to say that Junior Dragons' Den raised £3,578.92 to support patient care at Dr Kershaw's. We are truly grateful to each and everyone who took part, thank you for your support.

To see all the photos from the day, check out our Junior Dragons' Den photo album on our Facebook page here.

Want to know more about Junior Dragons' Den?

Designed especially for schools, Dr Kershaw’s Junior Dragons' Den aims to promote business, communication and problem solving skills, money management and team building.

If you have any questions about our 2025 Junior Dragons' Den, please contact our Fundraising Team at: fundraising@drkh.org.uk or 0161 624 9984.

By taking part in the Junior Dragons' Den you will be helping us care for local men and women who are living with a life limiting illness, giving them the specialist care they need to manage their symptoms and to be able to face the end of their lives with dignity and calm.