ENTERPRISING pupils have won a charity trophy after turning a £20 donation into hundreds of pounds.

Children at Pickhill Primary, near Thirsk, beat 27 other schools across the north of England to win the Schools Enterprise Challenge, organised by the charity Blythswood Care, which helps families in need in Europe, Africa and Asia.

The 24 pupils turned their £20 into £421 by selling ice creams after school, singing at Tesco in Thirsk, making a money tree from loose change and making a donation to go to school dressed as their mum or dad.

Now the funds raised will go towards a £300,000 project to send reconditioned fire engines to parts of Eastern Europe which don’t have their own engines.

Adam Whitehouse, area fund-raising manager for Blythswood Care, said the challenge had attracted schools from Merseyside to North Yorkshire.

“The judging panel was blown away by what Pickhill School achieved,” said Mr Whitehouse. “The judges liked the way the children had used their initiative and got all the community involved. For a small school, they did exceptionally well and the panel was unanimous that they should win.”

Head teacher Christine Gabbott said: “The children were so enterprising and loved growing their £20. We’re all absolutely delighted to have won the award and we’re very proud of the trophy.”