South Cumbria Bright Stars are shining lights for charity

Cumbria primary schools are taking part in the Bright Stars competition, designed to test their

entrepreneurial talent.

Youngsters have already launched money-spinning schemes from Valentines gifts

and bird boxes, to healthy school tuck shops, discos and film nights to boost their cash totals

for local charities.

The schools are around half way through their eight-week competition organised by the Centre

for Leadership Performance, and are being partnered by local companies with children as

young as five setting up their own enterprises to grow a stake of £50.

Bright Stars 2017 aims to introduce primary school pupils to encourage entrepreneurship

and build confidence and aspirations. Thirty schools are engaging with local businesses to

introduce budding leaders to leadership, team work and management along with business

basics including accounting, manufacturing, and marketing.

Trading ends on March 13 with the winners announced on March 17.

LED lighting specialists Lumier, of Barrow are partnering with Ramsden Nursery and Infant School, also in Barrow.

Each of the classes worked on their own events, including the Year One ‘moonwalk’ activity which was supported Lumier. The company also provided LED torches for the children for the evening walk event at school.

One pupil said it was "the best day of my life"

Ramsden headteacher Nicky Brewerton said: "They absolutely loved it, especially the torches so many thanks Lumier, they all guided their parents home with them afterwards. The year group raised a staggering £367.40, which is almost as much as the whole school made for their Christmas Fair last year so we are all amazed at that amount

"We wanted to integrate the business ideas with the children’s study activities and that has worked really well. Lumier have been fantastic in their support, coming in to talk to the children and joining in the activities."

Lumier managing director Mark Wilding joined sales engineer Billy Beck to support the

Moonwalk evening. Mr Beck said: “Bright Stars has given us a chance to get involve with

the school and the local community and we have had a great time working with the children

who have come up with some brilliant ideas.”

The next fundraising activity will be creating art lit by the company's LED technology which will be auctioned, and manufacturing a range of bookmarks.

Ramsden's good cause is supporting research into neurofibromatosis by donating funds to the Neuro Foundation

The company has also been providing support for the school to make their own lighting more energy efficient.

Cartmel CE Primary School is partnering Cartmel Racecourse, with managing director

Jonathan Garrett directly involved in the project.

The business leadership team was drawn from Year Six but the whole school is getting

behind the projects. After brainstorming ideas the children decided on two primary business

ideas, the auction of jobs - service day and a poems and storytelling evening. They are keen

to tie the business into the village creating events which will serve them and focus on the

primary school being at the heart of this community.

Mr Garrett said: “As well as many fantastic ideas, it was terrific to see all the children being given the chance to engage — and seizing that opportunity with such enthusiasm.”

Other South Cumbria schools involved in the project are; Croftlands Infants, Ulverston with Oxley Developments, Grasmere Primary School with Wildsmith Hotels, Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Barrow with the North West Evening Mail and Waberthwaite CE Primary School with Atkins Global.