The group, all business students from Sele School, named ‘Team Inferno,’ raised over £1,000 for their chosen community group, the Bury Rangers All Inclusive team.

The All Inclusive team helps children and young adults with special needs and learning difficulties come together to play football and develop as individuals. The money raised will go towards new football kits and training equipment for the team.

Based on the TV shows Dragons Den and The Apprentice, The Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge 2018 brought together 100 ambitious sixth form students from across the area with the aim of raising money for local charities and community groups. It was organised by Community Voluntary Services for Broxbourne and East Herts, with the event raising over £10,000 for 20 local causes.

The awards ceremony was held at The Spotlight, Hoddesdon, where a team of six finalists presented their overall campaign strategy to a panel of Super Dragons, including Louise Prior, Business Manager Barclays Bank; Jeff Stack, Chief Executive, Broxbourne Council; Andy Lopaka, International Speaker and Business Author; Jan Wing, Chairperson, CVS for Broxbourne & East Herts.

Head of IT and Business Faculty, Sele School, Ms Roa Dillon, said: “After six months of hard work and diligence I am proud to say that Team Inferno from The Sele School were crowned the overall winners of the Dragons' Apprentice Challenge.

“Our students were heads above all the other schools for their presentation, confidence, collaboration and cohesion.

“Well done to Gemma Caruana, Ben Borlase, Jacob Collins, Amy Skidmore, Samuel Baurey, George Ellis & Kyle Blackaby - The Sele School are so proud of you all.”

Managing Director of Team Inferno, Gemma Caruna, commented: “I have thoroughly enjoyed the Dragon’s Apprentice Challenge experience. I was in an amazing team with fantastic people who all worked really hard and contributed their very best. From this experience I have learnt that there is so much that goes into a business, to keep it running and successful. This experience was invaluable as we didn’t just get an opportunity to develop our business skills, but we also had the opportunity to raise money for such a brilliant cause.”

The apprentices were mentored along the journey by Richard Morris, Founder and CEO of online fundraising platform The GivingMachine. Discussing the challenge, Richard said:

“It was clear from our first meeting that Team Inferno meant business. They were already thinking about what they wanted to do and how to organise. Coach Keith Miller from Bury Rangers All Inclusive FC ensured that we all understood what a difference they make to young people with learning difficulties/disabilities and how funds would help them buy new football kits.

“On the evening, their presentation and confidence was just brilliant and I am delighted that their dedication was evident to the judges.”

Concluding, Bury Rangers All Inclusive coach, Keith Miller, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to attend the Dragons and Apprentice awards evening to support Team Inferno from Sele School who had done such a fantastic job in carrying out the tasks set by the challenge and supporting our Inclusive Football Group as their nominated charity.

“The money raised for us is a truly fantastic sum and will be of a huge help in keeping our group initiative going, providing funds for kit and venue facilities in the seasons going forward. Support of this nature will also enable us to plan going forward to bring others into the inclusive structure providing funds for training of coaches and payment of related course fees to enable volunteers to work with players requiring specialist support.

“It was also brilliant that the Sele team were so well rewarded for their efforts with their team leader wining an award for outstanding individual, the team as a whole picking up an award for most organised team and the icing on the cake wining the overall Competition Winner Award.

“Congratulations to all involved and a huge thank you from Bury Rangers All Inclusive.”

Bury Rangers All Inclusive team practices every Saturday morning at Wodson Park, 11.00 - 12.00. New members are always welcome. Families with children of special needs and similar disabilities are invited to play completely free, with no subscription costs. If you’re interested and would like to learn more contact keith@hrprojects.co.uk